Senior Software Engineer

Actalent; United States; On-site; USD 108,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Senior Software Engineer in Sterling Heights, MI for hands-on embedded software development and technical leadership on defense programs. The role blends software execution with program management, ensuring RMF/ATO compliance and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Ideal candidates have embedded C++ expertise, real-time systems experience, and the ability to mentor engineering teams while navigating government contracting requirements.

Qualifications

• Embedded C++ software development experience.
• Real-time embedded systems with RTOS or bare-metal experience.
• Strong software leadership and project execution background.
• Experience with requirements analysis, architecture, design, integration, and testing.
• Familiar with Earned Value Management System (EVMS).

Responsibilities

• Lead embedded software development efforts for munitions programs.
• Perform software design, development, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Support software verification planning, execution, and test automation.
• Manage software schedules, estimates, and technical execution.
• Monitor program cost, schedule, and technical performance metrics.
• Coordinate software architecture reviews and design approvals.
• Manage risks, issues, and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with software quality, configuration management, and safety processes.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity stakeholders to support RMF/ATO requirements.

Skills

Embedded C++

RTOS/Bare-Metal

Software leadership

Requirements analysis

EVM/System

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM

Tools

Earned Value Management System

Job description

Job Title: Senior Software Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated Senior Software Engineer to support advanced munitions programs within a leading defense organization. This role involves hands-on embedded software development and providing technical leadership to software teams across multiple defense contracts and work directives.

Responsibilities

• Lead embedded software development efforts for munitions programs.
• Perform software design, development, integration, and troubleshooting activities.
• Support software verification planning, execution, and test automation efforts.
• Manage software schedules, estimates, and technical execution.
• Monitor program cost, schedule, and technical performance metrics.
• Support formal customer milestone reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR events.
• Coordinate software architecture reviews and design approvals.
• Manage project risks, issues, and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with software quality, configuration management, and safety processes.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity stakeholders to support RMF and ATO requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineering team members.
• Present technical status and project performance information to leadership and customers.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in Embedded C++ software development.
• Experience with real-time embedded systems (RTOS and/or bare-metal).
• Strong background in software technical leadership and project execution.
• Expertise in requirements analysis, software architecture, design, integration, and testing.
• Experience with Earned Value Management System.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading small software development teams.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain Secret Clearance.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM discipline.
• Current Secret Security Clearance is a plus.
• Control Account Manager (CAM) or Work Package Manager experience.
• Cybersecurity knowledge, including RMF and ATO processes.
• Familiarity with CMMI and software lifecycle processes.
• Ethernet communications experience.
• Experience with weapon systems, munitions, or combat vehicles.
• Cybersecurity certifications.
• Experience overseeing subcontracted software development efforts.

Work Environment

The position is within a hybrid engineering environment supporting defense products and munitions systems. The role entails approximately 60% hands-on software development and 40% technical project leadership. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, Cybersecurity, Software Architecture, Program Management, and Government stakeholders, is expected. There may be occasional support for integration labs and field/range testing activities. The work schedule follows a 9/80 format, and the environment supports classified U.S. defense contractor programs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling Heights, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52.29 - $52.29/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sterling Heights,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.