Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer

The MITRE Corporation•New Bedford, MA

3d•$202,000 - $303,000•Onsite

About The Position

MITRE’s Electronic Systems Development department seeks a senior technical leader in embedded and high-performance software to support its existing government sponsor portfolio. The role provides technical leadership and hands-on development for advanced research and development projects of national significance. The team rapidly prototypes advanced sensor, communications, and navigation systems using commercial and custom hardware platforms and leading-edge semiconductor technologies, working with government sponsors to turn complex mission needs into technical capabilities through architecture, development, integration, and demonstration. Work includes applied research and testing in laboratory and field settings, primarily supporting cleared programs.

Requirements

Typically requires at least 12 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; 10 years with a master’s degree; or a PhD with 7 years of experience; or an equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Architecture, or a related field, or equivalent related education and work experience.
Expert proficiency in C++ for embedded or high-performance software, with experience using Python or comparable tools for analysis, automation, or testing.
Demonstrated technical leadership of multidisciplinary teams developing complex mission systems in classified environments, including setting technical direction and leading hands-on software development, integration, and verification across related projects.
Strong understanding of processor architectures, concurrency, memory management, and hardware/software interfaces, with experience diagnosing system-level performance or integration problems.
Hands-on development experience with Linux/BSD, POSIX-based environments, or real-time operating systems, including operating-system services and interfaces used by applications.
Experience working directly with government sponsors to translate operational needs into technical requirements, explain architecture and engineering tradeoffs, and build agreement on technical direction.
Experience developing or integrating software for one or more of the following: position, navigation, and timing (PNT); RF communications or software-defined radio; radar or other sensor systems.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly, mentor engineers, and establish effective engineering practices.
Ability to work on site at MITRE or government locations in support of assigned sponsors; Bedford, MA is the primary work location.
Must have an active Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government-issued security clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for a security clearance.
Must work on site at least four days per week.

Nice To Haves

Experience shaping software, systems, or system-of-systems architectures and technical roadmaps across multiple projects or organizations.
Existing accesses relevant to the supported programs.
Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Architecture, or a related field.
Experience with real-time signal or sensor data processing, low-latency communications, or software optimized for platforms with constrained size, weight, power, or computing resources.
Demonstrated success diagnosing and resolving time-sensitive software and system integration problems in demanding operational or field environments, while communicating technical implications and recommended actions to senior government sponsors.
Familiarity with MITRE’s work program.
Experience with embedded Linux, device drivers, kernel development, real-time scheduling, or performance profiling and optimization.
Experience with Rust or other languages used to develop reliable systems software.

Responsibilities

Shape embedded software strategy for the supported sponsor portfolio, working with sponsor teams to prioritize mission needs, address capability gaps, and apply solutions across related projects.
Architect, implement, test, document, and debug embedded and high-performance software, primarily in C++, from prototypes through integration and sustainment.
Lead multidisciplinary teams in defining requirements, selecting architectures, and resolving tradeoffs involving performance, latency, reliability, security, and size, weight, and power.
Establish and promote software design, implementation, integration, and verification practices; lead technical reviews and transfer knowledge to other teams.
Lead hands-on integration and troubleshooting of hardware/software interfaces across embedded platforms and sensor, communications, navigation, or software-defined radio systems during laboratory and field testing.
Advise sponsors and technical leaders on technical risks, investment priorities, and execution strategies for complex efforts affecting multiple projects and stakeholders.
Mentor engineers at multiple experience levels through hands-on collaboration, technical guidance, and design and code reviews.
Provide continuity of technical expertise for ongoing development and sustainment, and lead multidisciplinary teams from concept through prototype demonstration.