Associate Embedded Software Engineer
The Associate Embedded Software Engineer at Confidential Client develops and prototypes advanced embedded systems for national security applications, focusing on real-time sensor, communication, and navigation platforms. This role involves working with cutting-edge SoC, FPGA, and SDR technologies in a collaborative environment, supporting government research projects with a strong emphasis on software development best practices and hardware/software integration. The position requires an active Secret security clearance and onsite work at the Bedford, MA facility.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This entry-level role is focused on designing, prototyping, and implementing real-time embedded software for system-of-interest SoC and embedded platforms used in advanced sensor, communications, and navigation systems. You will work on cross-disciplinary teams in lab environments to develop demonstrable capabilities for government sponsors.
- Design and implement embedded software components in C/C++ for SoC and other embedded platforms
- Implement and test real-time communication and sensor processing algorithms
- Integrate software with FPGA/SoC platforms and SDR (software-defined radio) hardware
- Debug hardware/software interfaces and support low-level system bring-up
- Follow software engineering best practices: design, testing, documentation, and code review
- Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, and systems engineers to meet SWaP-C (size, weight, power, cost) constraints
- Participate in prototyping, demonstrations, and continuing education activities
Minimum Qualifications
- Typically requires less than 1 year of related experience with a related bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficiency in C and/or C++
- Familiarity with embedded systems concepts and hardware/software interaction
- Basic knowledge of low-level processor architectures and operating system concepts
- Comfortable working onsite in laboratory and classified facility environments
- Must have an active Secret U.S. Government security clearance. Per U.S. Government eligibility requirements, U.S. citizenship is required.
- This position requires a minimum of 4 days per week onsite at the Bedford, MA facility
Preferred Qualifications
- M.S. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar
- Familiarity with object-oriented design and higher-level languages such as Python, MATLAB, or Perl
- Exposure to reconfigurable SoC platforms (e.g., AMD Xilinx MPSoC, RFSoC, Versal; Intel Agilex SoC)
- Experience with embedded Linux (user- and kernel-space), POSIX, or RTOS
- Familiarity with Git, Make, CMake and modern development workflows (code review, regression testing)
- Experience debugging low-level hardware/software integration issues
- Solid foundation in digital signal processing (DSP) concepts and real-time algorithm implementation for comms, radar, or navigation
- Knowledge of networking protocols (wired and wireless)
- Basic experience with HDL (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog) is a plus
Location, Clearance & Work Type
- Location: Bedford, MA — on-site (minimum 4 days/week)
- Employment type: Full-time
- Clearance: Active Secret clearance required (or ability to maintain/obtain per sponsor requirements)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens only (required for security clearance eligibility)
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $89,200 - $133,800 per year (midpoint $111,500)
- Competitive benefits, professional development, and continuing education opportunities
- Additional benefits details available from the Confidential Client upon request
Why Join This Team
Work hands-on in world-class labs developing demonstrable solutions for national security and public-interest missions. You’ll learn from experienced engineers across disciplines, build practical prototypes on advanced SoC/FPGA platforms, and contribute to impactful research and demonstrations for government sponsors.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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