Senior Specialist, Software Engineer (Level 4)

Senior Specialist, Software Engineer (Level 4) - Embedded Systems

Location: Huntsville, AL

Employment Type: Contract

Security Clearance Required: Active Secret Clearance Required at Start

Citizenship Requirement: U.S. Citizenship Required (Dual Citizenship May Impact Eligibility)

Travel: Up to 10% (including support at test sites in Virginia, California, and Alabama)

Career Growth: Potential Opportunity for Direct-Hire Conversion

Open Positions: 2

Advance Mission-Critical Embedded Software Development

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Specialist, Software Engineer (Level 4) to join a team developing real-time embedded control and application software for advanced propulsion and aerospace systems. This is a hands-on engineering role supporting the complete software development lifecycle in a fast-paced laboratory and test environment.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience in embedded systems, real-time software development, and safety-critical applications, along with a passion for solving complex technical challenges. This role may also support live engine and system test activities, offering a unique opportunity to see your software operate in real-world environments.

Key Responsibilities Software Development & Integration (90%)

• Participate in the design, development, and integration of real-time embedded control software and application software.

• Support all phases of the software lifecycle, including:

• Requirements analysis

• System and software design

• Implementation and coding

• Unit testing

• Integration testing

• Verification activities

• Develop and maintain software documentation throughout the development lifecycle.

• Contribute to internal technical reviews, customer reviews, and program milestone reviews.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure software performance, reliability, and compliance with program objectives.

• Support hardware and software integration activities in laboratory and test environments.

Process Improvement & Engineering Excellence (10%)

• Analyze software metrics and development data to identify process improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate software engineering methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Assist with refining metric collection methods and software development processes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance software quality, efficiency, and organizational maturity.

Required Qualifications Education

• Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; OR
• Masters Degree with a minimum of 4 years of related experience; OR
• 10+ years of directly related experience in lieu of a degree.

Professional Experience

• 6+ years of experience developing embedded real-time software systems.
• 6+ years of hands-on C/C++ software development experience.
• Experience working on safety-critical, mission-critical, or human-rated software systems.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain comprehensive software development documentation across the full software lifecycle.
• Proven success working within collaborative engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), including:

• NI Linux

• Integrity

• Red Hat Linux

• QNX

• Knowledge of communication protocols such as:

• MIL-STD-1553

• TCP/IP

• RS-422

• SPI

• Experience using UML and model-based design tools including:

• Enterprise Architect

• Rhapsody

• Cameo

• Hardware and software integration experience.

• Familiarity with laboratory test equipment, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, and power supplies.

• Experience with software development IDEs and lifecycle management tools.

• Understanding of CMMI Level 3 or higher software development processes.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Why Join This Opportunity?

This position offers the chance to contribute to advanced aerospace, propulsion, embedded systems, and mission-critical software programs while working alongside experienced engineering professionals. Youll gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies, real-world system testing, and complex software architectures in a highly collaborative environment.

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