Lead Embedded Software Engineer
About The Position
MITRE’s Electronic Systems Development Department is seeking a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to develop advanced prototypes and proof-of-concept systems supporting national security and critical government missions. The role focuses on embedded systems for sensing, communications, and navigation, including highly integrated low-SWAP-C platforms, real-time systems using FPGA and Software Defined Radio technologies, and high-throughput signal processing and embedded computing architectures. As part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, the engineer will architect, implement, test, document, and debug primarily C/C++ embedded software; help define requirements and technical direction; establish software engineering practices; integrate hardware and software across embedded and RF/SDR-connected platforms; and implement and optimize algorithms. The role also includes leading project teams, mentoring junior engineers, engaging with sponsors, and evaluating emerging technologies for prototype systems. The position requires at least three days per week onsite and an active Secret U.S. government security clearance; candidates must be U.S. citizens to be eligible for a clearance.
Requirements
- Typically requires at least 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a master’s degree, or 3 years with a Ph.D.; equivalent combinations of related education and work experience may also qualify.
- Experience leading technical efforts and small engineering teams.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Expert-level proficiency in high-performance programming languages such as C, C++, or Rust, as well as high-level languages such as Python; strong understanding of embedded systems and hardware interfacing.
- Experience with implementation best practices, modern design methods, and software development flows including Git.
- Demonstrated experience as a task leader on high-performing multidisciplinary teams, including the ability to architect solutions and implement embedded-system components.
- Understanding and experience with low-level processor architectures, operating system design, and hardware interfacing.
- Experience with at least one of the following: real-time operating systems, POSIX interfaces, or Linux/BSD user and kernel environments.
- Willingness to mentor and develop junior engineers.
- Must have an active Secret U.S. government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for security-clearance eligibility.
- Must work onsite at least 3 days per week.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), RF communications, radar or sensor systems, or signal-processing concepts.
- Experience with Xilinx SoC FPGAs, RFSoCs, or Direct-RF devices.
- In-depth experience with software systems, systems architecture, and system-of-systems architecture.
- Advanced degree in Computer Engineering, Systems Architecture, or a related field.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, judgment, discretion, and tact.
- Demonstrated technical leadership shaping large projects and aligning operational needs, engineering realities, and programmatic execution.
- Active Secret or higher security clearance.
Responsibilities
- Architect, implement, test, document, and debug embedded software systems, primarily using C/C++.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define requirements and set technical direction for software development efforts.
- Establish and reinforce best practices for software design, implementation, integration, and verification.
- Integrate and troubleshoot hardware/software interfaces across embedded platforms and RF/SDR-connected systems.
- Implement and optimize advanced algorithms in hardware and software on embedded platforms.
- Lead project teams and mentor junior engineers.
- Interface with sponsors and build relationships for future programs and tasks.
- Evaluate and incorporate emerging technologies into next-generation prototype systems.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
