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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Sr Embedded Software Engineer - **Company:** Actalent - **Location:** Madison, WI, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $130,000.0 - $180,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Testing (Software), Agile Methodology, Application Layers, JIRA, C++ (Programming Language), Configuration Management, Software Documentation, Software Quality, Computer Engineering, Data Security, Data Visualization, Software Debugging, Linux, Programming Tools, Distributed Systems, Embedded C, Middleware, Embedded Operating Systems, Embedded Software, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), FreeRTOS, Graphical User Interface, Hardware Interface Design, Python (Programming Language), Performance Tuning, Software Architecture, Real-Time Operating Systems, Software Tools, Software Safety, Software Licensing Audit, Software Deployment, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Software Systems, Systems Architecture, System Software, Systems Integration, Technical Data Management Systems, Strategies of Testing, Verilog, VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL), Data Processing, Multithreading, Software Verification, Software Security, Safety Critical Systems, Backend, Computer Equipment, Containerization, Information Technology, Docker - **Published:** September 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/us9dca62cffade1f6da400c421791354ce/eaa ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. * 8+ years of software engineering experience supporting complex technical systems. * Strong experience developing software in C++ and C. * Experience developing both GUI applications and embedded real-time software. * Experience supporting hardware/software integration and controls software development. * Experience designing distributed or modular software architectures. * Experience with multithreaded and real-time software systems. * Experience conducting software safety reviews and supporting safety-critical systems. * Familiarity with software development lifecycle processes, testing methodologies, and configuration management. * Experience integrating software with hardware devices, sensors, or weapon system components. * Familiarity with Linux and/or embedded operating systems. * Ability to evaluate software quality, maintainability, security, and performance. * Experience using modern AI-assisted software development tools and workflows. * Experience supporting software systems operating on government Command and Control networks and within classified environments. * Familiarity with Government Information Assurance and cybersecurity requirements for weapon systems. * Experience implementing or supporting system sanitization and secure data handling procedures. * Understanding of secure software development practices and cybersecurity compliance requirements. * Familiarity with Risk Management Framework (RMF), Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), and secure deployment processes for weapon systems. * Experience supporting software accreditation, security reviews, or Authority to Operate activities. * Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and analytical problem-solving skills. * Strong written and verbal communication skills. * Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering teams. * Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. * Hands-on experience with Linux, embedded systems, and real-time operating systems. * Experience with tools and environments such as AI-assisted development platforms and issue-tracking systems (for example, Jira). * Experience working with microcontroller platforms and real-time frameworks such as STM32 and FreeRTOS. * Exposure to laser or directed energy-related systems or software. Additional Skills & Qualifications * Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline. * Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance. * Experience supporting Directed Energy, aerospace, defense, or military systems. * Familiarity with VHDL or Verilog development for FPGA systems. * Experience with embedded C/C++ firmware development on microcontroller platforms such as STM32 and FreeRTOS. * Experience with higher-level languages such as Python and Rust. * Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker. * Experience with ruggedized electronics and environmental qualification testing. * Experience with cable and harness design for aerospace or defense systems. * Familiarity with Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA), or other open systems architectures. * Experience operating within classified government network environments such as secure tactical or mission networks. * Familiarity with Department of Defense cybersecurity policies and classified system handling procedures. * Experience supporting secure tactical communications or weapon system software deployments. * Experience supporting prototyping and low-rate production environments. * Experience using structured project and issue management tools such as Jira. * Interest in and aptitude for mentoring, knowledge sharing, and contributing to engineering best practices. ## Description This role focuses on architecting, developing, integrating, and testing advanced communication, control, and safety software for complex High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems. You will work across the full software stack, from embedded real-time controls and hardware interfaces to operator interfaces and mission-level graphical user interfaces. The position suits a versatile engineer with strong software fundamentals, experience in safety-critical systems, and the ability to rapidly deliver high-quality solutions in a fast-paced defense environment. You will also leverage modern AI-assisted development tools while exercising sound technical judgment to ensure software quality, performance, security, safety, and maintainability. Responsibilities * Lead the development of advanced communication, control, and safety software for High Energy Laser weapon systems. * Design, develop, integrate, and test software across embedded, middleware, backend, and GUI application layers. * Design, develop, test, and validate software and interface specifications to meet system requirements. * Develop embedded controls software to support real-time hardware interaction and system-level control. * Design and implement operator interfaces, mission displays, and visualization tools for mission operations. * Develop software architectures that support modularity, scalability, maintainability, and mission reliability. * Integrate software with sensors, tracking systems, beam control systems, and weapon subsystems. * Support real-time communications, hardware interfaces, and distributed system architectures. * Participate in system integration activities, including hardware/software integration and field testing. * Conduct software verification, validation, debugging, and performance optimization to ensure robust operation. * Perform software safety analyses and participate in software safety reviews for mission-critical systems. * Ensure software compliance with Government Information Assurance, cybersecurity, and system sanitization requirements for operation on classified and tactical Command and Control networks. * Utilize AI-assisted development tools to improve productivity while critically evaluating generated code for correctness, efficiency, security, and maintainability. * Develop and maintain software documentation, including interface definitions, test procedures, and technical data packages. * Collaborate closely with systems, electrical, optical, and controls engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle. * Support Agile development activities, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings. * Mentor junior software engineers and contribute to the development and refinement of internal software engineering best practices. * Support proposal development and advanced technology initiatives related to Directed Energy Systems. * Support software deployment and accreditation activities within classified and secure operational environments. * Develop and maintain software architectures that support secure communications, data handling, and operational security requirements. * Participate in cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability mitigation efforts, and activities supporting Authority to Operate approvals. * Support software sanitization, media handling, and cross-domain security requirements for government systems. ## Related Videos - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) - [Docker exec without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1094-docker-exec-without-docker) - [Docker build without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100114-docker-build-without-docker) ## Related Articles - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/166-top-characteristics-of-a-software-engineer) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard)