Principal Embedded Software Architect (Top Secret Clearance Required)

STR • Woburn, MA

18h • $219,000 - $300,000

About The Position

STR’s Systems Development Division delivers technology capabilities focused on end-customer needs and designed for operationally relevant environments. The division considers the full lifecycle of solutions, from conceptualization and architecture through development and deployment, and works with novel technologies. Current efforts include airborne and space RF programs and advanced testing capabilities.

The Principal Embedded Software Architect defines and leads embedded software architecture for advanced RF systems, including software-defined radios, digital receivers and exciters, and radar subsystems built around MPSoC platforms. The role combines hands-on C/C++ and embedded Linux development with technical leadership across FPGA, RF, digital hardware, and systems engineering teams.

The architect owns the embedded software stack integrating high-speed data converters, FPGAs, and multicore processors, emphasizing data acquisition, streaming, timing, and deterministic control. The role also leads platform bring-up, system integration, and testing to meet performance, reliability, and maintainability requirements. An active Top Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship are required.

Requirements

• Active Top Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ for real-time, resource-constrained systems.
• Experience with embedded Linux, including drivers, BSPs, and kernel-level interfaces.
• Understanding of hardware/software interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, DMA, and memory-mapped registers.
• Hands-on debugging experience using tools such as JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
• Demonstrated experience architecting and integrating complex embedded systems involving MPSoCs/SoCs, FPGAs, and high-speed ADCs/DACs for RF or similar data-intensive applications.
• Technical leadership experience guiding multidisciplinary teams, translating system requirements into embedded architectures, leading design reviews, and mentoring engineers.
• At least 8 years of applicable experience with a bachelor’s degree, or at least 5 years with a master’s degree; equivalent experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC platforms and Vivado, Vitis, or PetaLinux.
• Practical experience with digital receiver/exciter systems, SDR, radar, phased arrays, or EW systems; familiarity with JESD204B/C, coherent multichannel timing, and clock distribution.
• Familiarity with embedded RF DSP concepts such as DDC/DUC, filtering, beamforming, and waveform generation, as well as radar/EW timing and synchronization.
• Experience with multithreaded programming, IPC, and synchronization in embedded Linux; familiarity with Yocto/Buildroot and high-throughput interfaces such as PCIe and 10/25/100 GbE.
• Experience developing reusable embedded frameworks or HALs and leading full-lifecycle development for aerospace/defense or other high-reliability applications.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead embedded software development for MPSoC-based RF systems, from requirements through deployment.
• Define hardware/software partitions and interfaces, and develop production-quality C/C++ and embedded Linux software, including drivers, BSPs, low-level control, and application-level services.
• Bring up new boards and platforms in collaboration with FPGA, RF, and hardware teams; configure and control high-speed ADCs/DACs, JESD links, and clocking and timing devices.
• Design, implement, and optimize data acquisition and streaming paths between FPGAs and processors for coherent timing, deterministic latency, and high-throughput operation.
• Lead system-level integration and testing, including performance analysis, troubleshooting, and risk mitigation.
• Prepare and maintain architecture documents, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical specifications.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to embedded and firmware engineers, lead design reviews, establish development standards, and communicate technical decisions and status to stakeholders and customers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal