Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, and debugging embedded software systems that directly interface with sensors, motor controllers, actuators, and hardware platforms used in safety-critical robotics applications. You will support the development and evolution of the Autonomy Test Cube (ATC) and related autonomous robotics platforms, contributing to multiple autonomy and robotics programs that validate perception and safety systems for next-generation robotic platforms. The position is ideal for an embedded software engineer who enjoys writing code daily, working close to hardware, and solving complex hardware–software integration challenges in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded software applications in C and C++ for robotics and autonomous systems.
• Develop robust software interfaces for hardware components including sensors, motor controllers, actuators, servo motors, PLCs, and embedded processing platforms.
• Read and interpret hardware datasheets, device drivers, and technical specifications to implement and integrate new functionality into embedded systems.
• Debug software across multiple layers of the system, from low-level hardware interfaces and drivers to application-level services and control logic.
• Support integration activities with robotics, controls, mechanical, automation, and test engineering teams to ensure seamless system operation.
• Participate in the migration of embedded applications across different hardware platforms and operating environments, including Linux-based and RTOS systems.
• Contribute to software architecture discussions, perform code reviews, and help drive technical decision-making for embedded and robotics software solutions.
• Develop and maintain clear technical documentation, design specifications, and test procedures for embedded software and system interfaces.
• Troubleshoot issues in both lab and field-test environments, including multi-axis motion systems, gantries, and autonomous robotic platforms.
• Support the Autonomy Test Cube (ATC), a 12x12x12 robotic test environment, by contributing to embedded software that enables validation of perception and autonomy software through a multi-axis gantry system.
• Collaborate closely with the Safety Perception Team to develop and maintain safety-critical software pipelines for autonomous robotic platforms and future-generation systems.
• Work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining strong communication and collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Use version control systems such as Git to manage source code and support modern software development workflows.
• Create and use Python scripts to support automation, testing, tooling, and integration tasks related to embedded and robotics systems.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Strong professional experience developing embedded software in C and C++.
• Experience working with Linux-based embedded systems and familiarity with embedded operating systems.
• Experience with RTOS environments such as FreeRTOS, MicroOS, or similar real-time operating systems.
• Hands-on experience interfacing software with sensors, actuators, motor controllers, servo motors, PLCs, and other embedded peripherals.
• Ability to analyze hardware documentation, datasheets, and technical specifications to implement software drivers and control functionality.
• Strong debugging skills that span both hardware and software boundaries in embedded and robotics systems.
• Experience using version control systems such as Git for source code management.
• Proficiency with Python scripting for automation, tooling, or test support.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced development environment with minimal supervision.
• Comfort working as an embedded software engineer first and foremost, writing code daily and troubleshooting low-level hardware–software integration issues.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Rust development or a strong willingness to learn Rust for embedded and robotics applications.
• Knowledge of motor control systems, servo drives, motion control, or robotics platforms.
• Experience with embedded processing platforms such as NVIDIA, Texas Instruments SoCs, ARM-based systems, or similar architectures.
• Familiarity with robotics frameworks such as ROS and ROS2, including robot operating system concepts and tooling.
• Experience working with real-time communication protocols, networking, and distributed systems in embedded or robotics environments.
• Exposure to PLC-based automation systems and industrial controls, including PLC programming and automation workflows.
• Experience supporting safety-critical or mission-critical systems in robotics, automation, or related domains.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and modern software development practices for embedded software.
• Experience working with multi-axis motion systems, gantries, or autonomous robotic platforms, including integration and troubleshooting.
• Experience designing or implementing graphical user interfaces (GUI) that interact with embedded or robotics systems.

Work Environment

You will work within a multidisciplinary Safety Perception Team that focuses on safety-critical software pipelines for autonomous robotic platforms and future-generation systems. The environment centers around the Autonomy Test Cube (ATC), a 12x12x12 robotic test facility that uses a multi-axis gantry system to validate perception and autonomy software for advanced robotics. Day-to-day work involves close collaboration with robotics, controls, mechanical, automation, and test engineers, using Linux-based embedded systems, RTOS environments, PLCs, motor controllers, sensors, and modern software development tools such as Git and CI/CD pipelines. The role blends lab-based development and debugging with hands-on integration and testing in field-like environments, offering a fast-paced, technically challenging setting where continuous learning and problem solving are encouraged.

This is a Contract position based out of North Reading, MA.

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $85.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in North Reading,MA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.