Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Leidos is hiring a Senior Embedded Software Engineer in Huntsville, AL (onsite) to support the development of mission-critical embedded software and firmware for missile defense systems. The role covers end-to-end engineering activities, from design and integration to testing and technical demonstrations in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform conceptual design across the full software stack for airborne systems, including embedded software architectural design, code implementation, and team peer review.
• Execute unit testing and enable cohesive integration of loosely coupled software modules within subsystems and across distributed networks.
• Use DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines to support development and delivery.
• Develop software tools, harnesses, and supporting infrastructure to deliver a fully integrated solution.
• Lead and contribute to the design, development, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging of embedded software systems.
• Maintain frequent, direct communication with customers, end users, internal stakeholders, and team members.
• Apply established software engineering principles, standards, and best practices throughout the SDLC, including software requirements analysis and hardware compatibility analysis.
• Develop tools and software products that support infrastructure, platform design, and system maintenance.
• Recommend and implement new technologies, tools, and standards to enhance software engineering practices aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead and mentor team members while contributing to delivery of complex projects and aligning work to technical strategy and execution plans.
• Identify improved development workflows, tools, and engineering practices, including emerging AI-enabled development capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical discipline (Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or related) from an accredited institution, with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• 12+ years of relevant technical experience, or 10+ years with a master’s degree in a related field.
• U.S. citizenship with eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.
• Experience developing, integrating, testing, or troubleshooting embedded software or embedded-adjacent applications that interface with, operate, monitor, support, simulate, control, or communicate with embedded systems.
• Resident of North Alabama or willing to relocate to the Huntsville-North Alabama area.
• Expert-level proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems development.
• Experience with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks, Integrity, or FreeRTOS.
• Proficiency with embedded processors and microcontrollers (for example, ARM Cortex or RISC-V).
• Experience with embedded debugging tools (for example, JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or software debuggers such as GDB).
• Experience with modern software development practices including Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and test automation.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with real-time embedded systems in defense, aerospace, or safety-critical platforms.
• Experience with high-speed guided weapons systems, flight controls systems, or similar embedded solutions.
• Experience developing large-scale embedded, high-performance systems with a high level of determinism.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Prior experience working in highly regulated or mission-critical environments (for example, aerospace or defense).
• Experience with software safety standards such as DO-178C and MIL-STD-882e.
• Experience with Agile management tools and concepts such as Jira.
• Experience with software configuration management tools such as Git and GitLab.
• Proven experience mentoring developers across multiple experience levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for highly complex technical challenges.
• Ability to work independently on well-defined tasks while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Technologies

• C/C++
• VxWorks
• Integrity
• FreeRTOS
• ARM Cortex
• RISC-V
• JTAG
• Oscilloscopes
• Logic analyzers
• GDB
• Agile
• DevOps
• CI/CD
• Test automation

Compensation

Pay Range: USD 131,300 - 237,350 per year.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• Retirement

Location and Clearance

• Location: Huntsville, AL (onsite)
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen
• Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance

Posting and Open Period

Original posting date: September 28, 2026.

U.S. positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days, with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date.