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# Principal Embedded Software Architect (Top Secret Clearance Requ

- **Company:** Str Limited
- **Location:** Arlington, VA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $219,000 - $300,000
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Big Data, UClibc (C Standard Library), C++ (Programming Language), Computer Engineering, Software Debugging, Digital Electronics, Embedded C, Linux on Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Joint Test Action (IEEE Standards), Multiprocessing, Radio-Frequency Identification, PCI Express, Software Requirements Analysis, System on a Chip, Systems Integration, Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, Vivado, Multithreading, Digital Access Carrier System, Serial Peripheral Interface, Yocto, Information Technology
- **Published:** November 10, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9300769/principal-embedded-software-architect-top-secret-clearance-requ

## About the Role

* This position requires an Active Top Secret security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government
 * BS or Master's in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
 * Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ for real-time, resource-constrained systems, and experience with embedded Linux (drivers, BSPs, kernel-level interfaces).
 * Solid understanding of hardware/software interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, DMA, memory-mapped registers) and hands-on debugging 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.
 * Proven technical leadership experience: guiding multi-disciplinary teams, translating system requirements into embedded architectures, leading design reviews, and mentoring engineers.
 * Background should include a BS and at least 8 years of applicable experience; or a Master's and at least 5 years of applicable experience. Equivalent experience will be considered.

Nice to Haves

 * Experience with AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC platforms and tools (Vivado, Vitis, 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 DSP concepts relevant to embedded RF (DDC/DUC, filtering, beamforming, waveform generation) and radar/EW timing and synchronization.
 * Experience with multithreaded programming, IPC, and synchronization in embedded Linux; familiarity with Yocto/Buildroot and high-throughput interfaces (PCIe, 10/25/100 GbE).
 * Experience developing reusable embedded frameworks/HALs and leading full lifecycle development (requirements, architecture, implementation, integration, verification) for aerospace/defense or other high-reliability applications.

## Description

STR is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Architect to define and lead the embedded software architecture for advanced RF systems, including software-defined radios, digital receivers/exciters, and radar subsystems built around MPSoC platforms. You will work hands-on in C/C++ and embedded Linux while providing technical leadership across a multidisciplinary team spanning FPGA, RF, digital hardware, and systems engineering.

In this role, you will own the embedded software stack that integrates high-speed data converters, FPGAs, and multi-core processors, with emphasis on data acquisition, streaming, timing, and deterministic control. You will drive system bring-up, integration, and test, ensuring that solutions meet performance, reliability, and maintainability requirements for operationally relevant environments.

What you will do

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