Software Engineer

Job Title: Software Engineer - Android Platform & Device Fleet Security

Job Description

This role focuses on building and owning a hardened, custom Android platform for deployment across managed vehicle device fleets. You will design and deliver custom OS builds, over-the-air (OTA) update mechanisms, kernel maintenance, device security, and fleet management infrastructure. As a founding platform engineer, you will define the architecture, establish standards, and lead the evolution of this platform while collaborating closely with a growing engineering organization that develops connected vehicle cybersecurity products for public safety, defense, federal, and commercial fleet customers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and extend a custom Android Open Source Project (AOSP)-derived platform build, including device trees, vendor partitions, hardware abstraction layer (HAL) customizations, and system image signing.
• Design, implement, and operate reproducible build pipelines with CI/CD automation and secure release key management for platform builds.
• Build an end-to-end OTA update system engineered for reliability in degraded and constrained environments, including phased rollout, rollback capabilities, and fault-tolerant installation processes.
• Build, patch, and maintain custom Linux kernel images for the target platform, including kernel module development and integration of upstream security patches.
• Own and manage the secure boot chain, including Android Verified Boot (AVB) key infrastructure, bootloader security configuration, SELinux policy authoring, and code signing with proper key lifecycle management.
• Implement encryption, remote wipe capabilities, tamper detection, and rollback protection suitable for high-assurance and security-critical environments.
• Evaluate, select, and integrate cryptographic modules aligned with U.S. government cybersecurity frameworks and standards.
• Architect and implement a comprehensive device management strategy covering enrollment, provisioning, policy enforcement, health monitoring, and compliance reporting across large-scale device fleets.
• Collaborate with reverse engineers, security engineers, and other software engineers to ensure platform robustness, security, and maintainability.
• Support operational teams in managing device fleets at scale, including troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement of platform reliability.
• Contribute to technical standards, documentation, and best practices for Android platform development, kernel maintenance, and secure device fleet operations.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in an Engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of software engineering experience focused on platform or systems-level development, ideally on an Android platform.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for low-level and systems programming.
• Proficiency in Python for automation, tooling, and integration tasks.
• Proficiency in Shell scripting for build, deployment, and system administration workflows.
• Working knowledge of Java or Kotlin for Android framework-level modifications.
• Linux kernel development experience, including building from source, module development, devicetree configuration, and kernel-level debugging.
• Experience managing device fleets at scale in operational environments.
• Strong understanding of Linux and Android-based software development.
• Eligibility for a US Secret Clearance.
• Ability to design and maintain CI/CD pipelines for platform builds.
• Strong foundation in secure systems design and implementation for embedded or vehicle platforms.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Android system-level development (as opposed to application-level development).
• Experience building, modifying, and flashing custom Android system images from AOSP or a comparable open-source base.
• Hands-on experience with Android Verified Boot (AVB), bootloader security, and the secure boot chain.
• Familiarity with Android OTA internals, including update mechanisms, A/B partitioning, payload generation, and boot control HAL.
• Strong security engineering fundamentals, including public key infrastructure (PKI), code signing, chain of trust, full-disk encryption (FDE), file-based encryption (FBE), and key management.
• Experience working with cryptographic modules aligned with U.S. government cybersecurity frameworks and standards.
• Background in connected vehicle, embedded systems, or cybersecurity-focused platforms.
• Experience working in fast-growing, early-stage environments and contributing to foundational architecture and standards.

Work Environment

The team consists of approximately 20 people, with the vast majority working on site and a large portion focused on reverse engineering and security-related engineering. Around 15 engineers are co-located in a dedicated facility in Sterling, providing close collaboration and rapid iteration on platform and security features. The culture emphasizes building advanced connected vehicle cybersecurity products for public safety, defense, federal, and commercial fleet customers, with a strong focus on reliability, security, and high-assurance systems. While most of the engineering team works on site, the role can be remote for the right candidate, offering flexibility for highly qualified individuals. The environment is engineering-driven, growth-oriented, and centered on delivering secure, scalable solutions for large managed vehicle device fleets.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Dulles, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $84.00 - $112.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Dulles,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 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.