Principal Software Engineer

This role focuses on designing, developing, modifying, and maintaining embedded operational flight software using robust software engineering best practices and standards. The Principal Software Engineer leads complex technical efforts across the full software development life cycle and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, external partners, and government customers. Responsibilities

• Design, develop, modify, and maintain embedded operational flight programs using industry-standard software development practices.
• Participate in the full software development life cycle, including requirements development, modeling and design, implementation, unit testing, integration, formal system testing, release, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
• Provide technical leadership in solving complex software and system integration problems in an embedded environment.
• Integrate embedded software with firmware and hardware components to ensure reliable and high-performance system operation.
• Apply strong object-oriented programming principles to design maintainable, scalable, and robust software solutions.
• Collaborate frequently with program management, external suppliers, and government customers to clarify requirements, present technical solutions, and support program objectives.
• Prepare and deliver clear technical documentation, reports, and presentations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, coding standards, and best practices for embedded software.
• Support troubleshooting, debugging, and root-cause analysis of software issues in embedded systems.
• Work within security and compliance requirements, including maintaining eligibility to obtain a Secret clearance., The role centers on embedded software development for operational flight systems, working primarily with C and C++ on Linux in an embedded environment. You will collaborate closely with firmware and hardware teams, program management, external suppliers, and government customers in a structured engineering setting that follows a full software development life cycle from requirements through formal system testing and release. The environment emphasizes rigorous engineering standards, object-oriented design, integration with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks or other RTOS platforms, and adherence to security and compliance requirements.

Linux Radar VxWorks Avionics Firmware Debugging Visionary Innovation Embedded C Scalability Unit Testing Presentations System Testing Flight Software Computer Science Secret Clearance Embedded Software Computer Hardware Program Management Electronic Warfare Root Cause Analysis Systems Integration Software Engineering Software Development Computer Engineering Technical Leadership Object-Oriented Design Technical Documentation C (Programming Language) Engineering Design Process C++ (Programming Language) Real-Time Operating Systems Interpersonal Communications Performance Systems Analysis Continuous Improvement Process Software Development Life Cycle Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

At least 8 years, * 8+ years of industry experience programming in C and C++ in an embedded environment.

• Strong skills programming in C and C++ on Linux operating systems.
• Working experience with Linux OS in an embedded context.
• Strong foundation in object-oriented programming fundamentals.
• Experience integrating embedded software with firmware and hardware.
• Ability to lead and solve complex technical problems in embedded software systems.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills for frequent interaction with program management, external suppliers, and government customers.
• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance., * Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks or other RTOS platforms.
• Experience with embedded C in addition to C++.
• Familiarity with electronic warfare, radar, or avionics systems.
• Active or previous Secret security clearance preferred., 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.

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.