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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Systems Software Engineer - **Company:** Actalent - **Location:** Bellevue, WA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $160,000.0 - $180,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Android Software Development, Booting (BIOS), Computer Engineering, Software Debugging, Linux, Embedded Software, Firmware, Real-Time Operating Systems, Software Engineering, System Software, Bare Metal, Data Analytics - **Published:** August 30, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/833726E2C2E14803AA7049FD4B9A9625/job/ ## About the Role We are seeking a Senior System Software / Embedded Firmware Engineer with a strong background in electrical engineering test and debug, focused on system-level power characterization and optimization on Qualcomm-based platforms. This role is hardware-first and emphasizes embedded firmware, electrical measurements, and lab-based investigation, with sufficient system software experience to perform first-order analysis of software-driven power and performance issues. While Android and Linux knowledge are required, this role is not for a pure Android framework expert., * Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, or related field. * 7+ years of experience in embedded systems with a strong mix of electrical engineering lab work and embedded firmware/system software. * Strong electrical test and debug background, including reading and working from schematics and power-rail analysis. * Solid experience with embedded firmware development (MCU, SoC firmware, bootloader, or low-level drivers). * Working knowledge of Linux and/or Android system software. * Ability to independently define test plans, build test matrices, and drive investigations proactively. * Strong analytical skills and confidence working with incomplete or ambiguous data. Additional Skills & Qualifications * Experience working with Qualcomm platforms or similar complex SoCs. * Familiarity with system-level power measurement frameworks. * Experience digesting and validating power models and power budgets. * Android power/thermal framework familiarity. * Experience with factory, EVT/DVT, or lab-based power characterization. * Exposure to embedded RTOS or bare-metal development. Work Environment The work environment is engineering-driven and focused on problem-solving. It combines lab-based hands-on work with deep software debugging. There is close collaboration with hardware, firmware, and platform engineers. The culture emphasizes ownership, experimentation, and data-driven decisions. Work may be on-site or hybrid, depending on lab access needs., Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. ## Description * Work hands-on with product schematics, power delivery networks, and lab instruments. * Build structured test matrices and communicate with electrical engineering and hardware teams. * Digest and reason about system power models. * Move between schematics, bench instruments, low-level firmware, and system software logs to explain real-world power behavior. * Investigate and resolve power and performance issues. * Take ownership of real power measurements and contribute to platform-level decisions. ## Related Videos - [Single Server, Global Reach: Running a Worldwide Marketplace on Bare Metal in a Cloud-Dominated World](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1206-single-server-global-reach-running-a-worldwide-marketplace-on-bare-metal-in-a-cloud-dominated-world) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [For the Cars and the Curious: Android Drift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/499-for-the-cars-and-the-curious-android-drift) - [Your Kubernetes Node Is Not a Server: Rethinking the OS Layer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100315-your-kubernetes-node-is-not-a-server-rethinking-the-os-layer) - [Software stack under and over the hood of the fastest accelerating car in the world](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/221-software-stack-under-and-over-the-hood-of-the-fastest-accelerating-car-in-the-world) ## Related Articles - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [How Much Does a Software Engineer Make? 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