Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, and deploying embedded flight software and Ground Control Station (GCS) software for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. You will build the software that enables autonomous flight, working across flight control, communication, navigation, and operator interfaces. You collaborate closely with hardware, electrical, systems, and software engineers, contributing to new UAV platform integration while writing clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain embedded software for UAV flight platforms, ensuring reliability and performance.
• Write high-quality, maintainable, and well-documented code in C++, C, Python and/or Matlab for flight and ground systems.
• Collaborate with hardware, electrical, and systems engineers to integrate new UAV platforms and ensure seamless system operation.
• Document internal designs, software architecture, and interfaces to support maintainability, reuse, and team alignment.
• Design, develop, and support software tools for UAV system configuration and setup.
• Contribute to the development of Ground Control Station (GCS) software, including user interfaces, telemetry handling, and mission configuration tools.
• Develop and support real-time flight software, including control loops, sensor drivers, and mission logic for UAV systems.
• Maintain and enhance UAV flight and ground control software, addressing defects, performance issues, and new feature requests.
• Implement and test communication protocols such as UART, CAN, TCP/IP, and UDP, as well as serial bus interfaces, to support robust data exchange.
• Support testing and debugging activities in both lab environments and during field flight tests, including flight testing of UAV/UAS platforms.
• Regularly report on activities and progress to keep stakeholders informed and aligned.
• Participate in software validation efforts, including work aligned with DO-178C standards, to ensure compliance and safety in aerospace applications.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years of experience in embedded software development gained through industry roles or substantial project work.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python for embedded and application-level software development.
• Experience with embedded software for UAV, UAS, drones, aerospace, avionics, or similar systems.
• Familiarity with embedded Linux or real-time operating systems (RTOS) for running flight and control software.
• Hands-on experience implementing and testing communication protocols such as UART, CAN, TCP/IP, UDP, and other serial protocols or serial bus interfaces.
• Experience developing or supporting Ground Control Station (GCS) or ground control software, including telemetry and mission configuration.
• Understanding of control systems and systems engineering principles as applied to flight software and UAV platforms.
• Ability to debug firmware and embedded C/C++ software in lab and field environments.
• Experience with software validation practices, preferably aligned with DO-178 or DO-178C standards.
• Experience with UAV/UAS systems and flight testing activities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Matlab for modeling, analysis, or algorithm development related to flight and control systems.
• Experience in aerospace, avionics, or sensor integration for UAV platforms.
• Familiarity with Qt or PyQt for building user interfaces for Ground Control Station or configuration tools.
• Knowledge of telemetry systems and data handling for UAV flight and mission monitoring.
• Experience with serial protocol debugging and integration in complex embedded systems.
• Exposure to systems engineering processes for aerospace or unmanned systems.
• Experience working on long-term, permanent aerospace programs and new lines of business or product development.
• Comfort working in cross-functional teams that include hardware, electrical, systems, and software engineers.

Work Environment

This is a 100 percent onsite role based in Bingen, WA. You primarily sit and work at a computer, reading screens, documents, and engineering drawings while collaborating with team members. The position may require carrying or lifting items up to 30 lbs and walking through office and production areas, including uneven surfaces. You work in both office and shop floor environments, where personal protective equipment such as safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators or masks, and protective gloves may be required according to site policies. Steel-toed shoes are required for visits to the shop floor, and hearing or eye protection may also be necessary in production areas. No travel is listed for this position. The environment combines engineering office work with hands-on exposure to production and test areas, supporting aerospace projects in a structured and safety-focused setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Bingen, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $83119.00 - $117565.00/yr.

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.

Relocation assistance is provided for qualified positions, along with a compensation and benefits package.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bingen,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.