Embedded Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4

Description

The team sits in the Space Systems organization at the company's Dulles, VA location and builds space flight software platforms for national space security programs.

The role is open at Level 3 or 4 and suits someone self-motivated, proactive and goal-oriented.

Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance is required for start, and the clearance type is SCI.

Responsibilities

• Write embedded software modules that interact directly with hardware over UART, synchronous serial, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire, SPI, and discrete digital and analog I/O.
• Set flight software requirements, test plans and verification plans together with other disciplines.
• Develop and configure board support packages and integrate device drivers.
• Run trade studies using computer simulation or kits and development boards.
• Integrate spacecraft components and flight software with the simulation platform, working alongside several engineers.
• Take part in hardware definition and in software design, development, debugging and integration on simulation and hardware-in-the-loop platforms.
• Analyze system resources to improve efficiency, stability and processing speed.
• Prepare design documents, analyses, test results and presentation materials for internal and external customers.
• Help find the root cause of problems seen during software installation, integration, acceptance testing and operational events, working with software developers and other engineers.
• Work across varied assignments and in collaborative teams at every level.
• Take on other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Level 3: a bachelor's degree in aerospace, electrical, computer or software engineering, or a related STEM field, with 5 years of relevant professional experience; or a master's degree in those fields with 3 years; or a PhD in those fields with 1 year.
• Level 4: a bachelor's degree in those fields with 8 years of relevant professional experience; or a master's degree with 6 years; or a PhD with 4 years.
• A completed degree in one of those engineering or STEM fields is required for both levels.
• An active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance with SCI access is required at the time of application, current and within scope, along with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable time. US citizenship is required.
• You must be willing and able to pass a Counterintelligence polygraph favorably.
• Level 3: experience with Python, Linux and Git.
• Level 3: excellent communication skills and the ability to present technical concepts to a diverse group of engineers.
• Level 3: experience working in an integrated team of systems, software and specialty engineers to develop solutions.
• Level 3: experience with Docker containers, Helm charts, Kubernetes (K8s) or Docker, AWS, GitLab workflows and CI/CD pipelines.
• Level 4: advanced programming in C/C++ and Python.
• Level 4: advanced programming in MATLAB.
• Level 4: excellent communication skills and the ability to work in small teams.
• Level 4: the ability to debug both hardware and software.
• Level 4: the ability to use revision control tools such as Subversion and Git.
• Level 4: the ability to document and present technical and programmatic status clearly to management.
• Preferred: active SAP access.
• Preferred: a favorably adjudicated CI or FS polygraph.
• Preferred: system knowledge in one or more of spacecraft command and control, mission planning, space situational awareness and visualization.
• Preferred: familiarity with static code analysis tools such as Coverity, SonarQube and Fortify.
• Preferred: hardware interfacing, integration, test and controls experience.
• Preferred: understanding of common embedded system tools, real-time operating systems and avionics integration and test practices.
• Preferred: the ability to integrate flight software with simulation models of sensors, actuators and space environments to show closed-loop spacecraft performance, plus general integration and test of aerospace systems.
• Preferred: understanding of Jenkins, Jira (Agile, Scrum and Kanban), Bitbucket and related DevSecOps tools.
• Preferred: excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with all levels of staff and management.
• Preferred: experience developing software in a Linux environment.
• Preferred: experience with National Instruments data acquisition cards.
• Preferred: the ability to read schematics and work with component datasheets.
• Preferred: experience with digital, analog, RS-422 synchronous serial and UART, MIL-STD-1553 and SpaceWire electrical interfaces.

Conditions

The work is primarily performed in a SCIF.

The schedule is 9/80, with every other Friday off.

The role is 100% onsite, and telecommuting cannot be accommodated.

Travel is required about 10% of the time.

The offer depends on final clearances and program access being granted within a reasonable period, as the company decides.

Primary level base salary range: $114,000.00 to $171,000.00. Secondary level base salary range: $142,200.00 to $213,400.00. These are general guidelines, and the offer depends on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

The application period is estimated at 20 days from the posting date, and it may be shortened or extended based on business needs and candidate availability.

Benefits

• Depending on the position, you may be eligible for overtime, shift differential and a discretionary bonus.
• Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and let you share in company results.
• Vice President and Director roles may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid company holidays, and paid time off for vacation and personal business.