Project/Unit Description
The Applied Systems Lab (ASL) Autonomy Technology Transition Division (ATTD) is currently seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer for a full-time research faculty position. ATTD conducts research supporting sponsors across the Department of Defense and focuses on autonomous uncrewed aircraft programs. Expertise includes autonomous systems, systems engineering, avionics engineering, embedded software development, test and evaluation, and hardware‑ and software‑in‑the‑loop development and test environments and laboratories.
Job Purpose
The Embedded Real‑Time Software Engineer is responsible for developing hard real‑time embedded systems software. The Embedded Real‑Time Software Engineer designs, implements, and tests solutions executing on limited‑resource hardware, where the engineer develops software that interfaces to real‑time operating systems, device drivers, and board devices. The Embedded Real‑Time Software Engineer understands the complexity of allocating hardware board devices, manages hardware device access, architects for software scheduling and low latency, controls system states and modes, manages systems' components status and health, and develops domain‑specific applications. The Embedded Real‑Time Software Engineer performs full software development lifecycle tasks, applies disciplined software development processes, utilizes safety and security unique processes and designs, and incorporates open system software frameworks. The Embedded Real‑Time Software Engineer is proficient in programming languages for real‑time computing applications, such as C and C++, and demonstrates knowledge in software development principles, computer operating systems, Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), DevOps, Application Programming Interface (API) development, container development, and distributed systems. The Real‑Time Software Engineer also works as part of a broad team of researchers to innovate new concepts, identify technology stakeholders, and execute challenging research in the national interest.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, test, and develop software packages to meet system requirements.
- Develop and maintain software and scripts to support embedded software development and processes.
- Establish embedded software development processes.
- Apply expertise in embedded systems to define requirements and develop embedded software designs recognizing limitations of target hardware platforms.
- Author technical reports and presentations for projects of moderate‑to‑high complexity.
- Compile report input from other researchers and prepare final report deliverables.
- Lead and/or contribute to white papers and proposals.
- Provide technical leadership to development teams and verify managed developers are following embedded development processes.
- Design, architect, and provide senior level support of high‑security, sensitive, or classified systems.
- Serve as a resource and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for software engineering tools and technologies.
- Manage overall codebase, review code pull‑requests, handle merging, perform code branch management, and provide feedback to team members to ensure sponsor requirements and code quality thresholds are being met.
- Other related duties, as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities
- Lead the software development of Military embedded systems applications.
- Manage and review the overall software requirements and software design.
- Create software development estimates.
- Create and deliver technical presentations.
- Ensure software is developed to meet military, safety, and security standards.
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Experience developing software for complex systems using disciplined approaches and processes.
- Experience developing software estimates and managing the software development through the project lifecycle.
- Experience developing, integrating, and/or testing unmanned autonomous system capabilities.
- Experience developing software in C/C++ languages.
- Experience developing software in bash, Python scripting languages.
- Experience developing software on Linux for Linux target systems.
- Experience leading sponsored research projects and sponsor interactions.
- Experience facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and partnerships among research personnel, government, and industry stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- Active Secret Clearance.
- Experience managing and providing technical leadership for complex, high‑value engineering programs.
- Experience with software designs including architectures, requirements, behavior allocation, and interface design for autonomous systems.
- Experience with developing and fielding autonomous systems or solutions.
- Experience developing/designing complex, software‑intensive military unmanned air systems (UAS).
- Experience developing autonomous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/UAV).
- Experience with open systems architecture frameworks (e.g., FA