Senior Software Engineer

Horizontal Talent; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent in Sterling Heights, MI seeks an experienced leader to guide embedded software efforts on defense programs. The role blends hands-on C++ design with technical project leadership to shape software execution across disciplines.

You will drive the full lifecycle from planning through testing, review requirements, coordinate risk mitigation, and ensure cybersecurity integration while tracking performance against schedule and costs. A Secret clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience in object-oriented C++ embedded development.
• Background in real-time embedded software development and testing.
• Ability to provide technical direction to developers and guide project execution.
• Knowledge of Ethernet communications and software lifecycle processes.
• Familiarity with CMMI and EVMS/control accounts.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Eligibility for a Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead software execution for assigned contracts, balancing development work with technical leadership.
• Drive the full software development lifecycle from planning to testing and integration.
• Review requirements to ensure alignment with customer needs and contract scope.
• Partner with architecture leadership to support technical decisions and approvals.
• Coordinate problem-solving across teams to improve performance and cost effectiveness.
• Ensure cybersecurity activities are integrated into the software effort.
• Monitor technical, cost, and schedule performance and support corrective actions.
• Oversee estimation and earned value reporting, and contribute to EAC updates.
• Plan software schedules and build activities aligned with product milestones.
• Coordinate resources with managers to support staffing and delivery needs.
• Provide performance and development input for project team members.
• Work with PM and QA to align with business management, software quality, and CM procedures.
• Coordinate with safety and verification teams for software safety and test planning.
• Participate in milestone reviews and technical meetings with government and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate risks, issues, and opportunities clearly to leadership.

Tools

RTOS

Job description

Bring your embedded software expertise to a leadership-focused role supporting real-time development efforts on complex defense systems. This opportunity blends hands-on C++ design and development with technical project leadership, offering the chance to guide software execution, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to high-impact programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead software execution for assigned contracts, balancing individual development work with technical leadership responsibilities.
• Drive the full software development lifecycle, including planning, requirements analysis, architecture, design, implementation, testing, integration, and range testing.
• Review software requirements to ensure alignment with customer needs, technical objectives, and contract scope.
• Partner with architecture and functional leadership to support sound technical decisions and approvals.
• Coordinate problem-solving across teams and disciplines to improve system performance, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Help ensure cybersecurity activities are integrated appropriately into the software effort.
• Monitor technical, cost, and schedule performance and support corrective action planning when needed.
• Support estimation and earned value reporting by overseeing control accounts or work packages and contributing to EAC updates.
• Plan software schedules and build activities to align with broader product development milestones.
• Coordinate internal and external resources in partnership with managers to support staffing and delivery needs.
• Provide constructive performance and development input for team members assigned to the project.
• Work in accordance with established business management, software quality, and configuration management procedures.
• Coordinate with safety and verification teams to support software safety, test planning, environment setup, and test execution.
• Participate in and help lead formal milestone reviews and technical meetings with government and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate risks, issues, and opportunities clearly to project and functional leadership.

Skills

• Strong experience in object-oriented design and C++ embedded software development.
• Background in real-time embedded software development and/or software testing.
• Ability to provide technical direction to developers and guide project execution.
• Working knowledge of Ethernet communications.
• Experience with software engineering processes and the software lifecycle.
• Understanding of CMMI and software lifecycle management practices.
• Working knowledge of EVMS and control account or work package responsibilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong collaboration, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage meetings, discussions, and technical reviews effectively.
• Must be eligible for a Secret clearance.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with RTOS or bare-metal real-time application development.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity risk management framework processes and ATO requirements.
• Cybersecurity certification.
• Subject matter expertise in weapon systems or combat vehicles.
• Current Secret clearance.
• Experience supporting defense or highly regulated technical programs.

Horizontal is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming workplace where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We value diverse perspectives and encourage candidates from all experiences and identities to apply.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.