Principal Embedded Software Engineer

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MITRE's Electronic Systems Development department is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer (Level 5) to support advanced research and development projects of national significance. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team designing and prototyping proof-of-concept systems on embedded hardware platforms, with emphasis on software supporting Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) applications. Our diverse sponsors and research objectives provide opportunities such as:

• Real-time communication, navigation, and sensor systems leveraging modern System-on-a-Chip/Field Programmable Gate Array (SoC/FPGA) technology and Software-Defined Radio (SDR) platforms
• Advanced architectures for high-throughput signal processing algorithms
• Tightly integrated platforms targeting low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) applications
• Cross-disciplinary teams delivering mission-relevant prototypes and demonstrations

Roles & Responsibilities:

This position provides an opportunity to lead the design and prototyping of state-of-the-art embedded systems using commercial and custom platforms. Key responsibilities include:

• Architect, implement, test, document, and debug embedded software systems (primarily C/C++)
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to define requirements and set technical direction for software development efforts
• Establish and reinforce best practices for software design, implementation, integration, and verification
• Integrate and troubleshoot hardware/software interfaces across embedded platforms and RF/SDR-connected systems
• Mentor and develop junior engineers through technical guidance and reviews

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
• Degree in Computer Engineering, Systems Architecture, or related field
• Expert-level proficiency in high-performance programming languages (C, C++, Python)
• Demonstrated technical/task leadership experience
• Demonstrated ability to architect complex embedded systems
• Experience defining and encouraging best practices and design methods
• Demonstrated engagement across multidisciplinary teams to define requirements and set technical direction of software development efforts
• Willingness/passion for mentoring and developing junior engineers
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, hardware interfacing, and signal processing concepts
• In-depth experience with software systems, systems architecture, and system-of-systems architecture
• Complete software development skillset including design, implementation, testing, documentation, and debugging
• Understanding and experience with low-level processor architectures, operating system design, and hardware interfacing
• Experience with real-time operating systems
• Experience with POSIX interfaces
• Experience with Linux/BSD user and kernel environments
• Experience with Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), RF communications, or radar/sensor systems
• Must have an active Top Secret/SCI U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Existing program accesses
• Advanced degree in Computer Engineering, Systems Architecture, or related field
• Excellent interpersonal skills, judgment, discretion, and tact
• History of building trusted relationships with demanding customers or leaders
• Demonstrated technical leadership shaping large projects and aligning operational needs, engineering reality, and programmatic execution

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$173,200 - $216,500 - $259,800 Annual

Work Location Type:
Onsite

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.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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