Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

The Embedded Software Engineer designs, implements, and certifies flight control software for a spaceflight vehicle. This role focuses on developing safety-critical embedded software, ensuring full traceability, rigorous peer review, and thorough verification to support the successful and reliable operation of advanced spaceflight systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement embedded flight control software for spaceflight vehicles using C and C++.
• Develop and maintain safety-critical software in accordance with industry standards, including comprehensive traceability from requirements through implementation and test.
• Contribute to the certification of flight control software by producing high-quality documentation, test artifacts, and verification evidence.
• Perform code reviews and participate in formal software inspections to ensure reliability, safety, and adherence to coding standards.
• Develop, maintain, and execute software tests, including unit, integration, and system-level tests for safety-critical applications.
• Use Python to support software development activities, including scripting, test automation, and data analysis.
• Work within a real-time operating system (RTOS) environment to develop deterministic, real-time flight control functions.
• Collaborate closely with an agile software engineering team to refine requirements, plan sprints, and deliver incremental, high-quality software.
• Investigate and resolve software defects and anomalies identified during development, integration, and verification.
• Ensure all software development activities align with safety-critical development processes and best practices for flight control systems.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a closely related discipline.
• Professional experience in C and C++ development for embedded systems.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, tooling, or test automation.
• Hands-on experience with safety-critical software development, including traceability, review, and verification activities.
• Experience with flight control software or similar control systems.
• Understanding of real-time operating systems (RTOS) and real-time software constraints.
• Strong software development fundamentals, including version control, debugging, and testing.
• Ability to work effectively in an agile software engineering environment focused on safety-critical applications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with certification processes for safety-critical or flight software.
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices for safety-critical and aerospace software development.
• Experience contributing to documentation and artifacts required for software certification and audits.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively in a cross-functional engineering team.
• Motivation to support the development of an advanced space plane as it progresses toward launch.

Work Environment

You will work as part of an agile software engineering team dedicated to safety-critical development for spaceflight applications. The environment emphasizes collaboration, code quality, and rigorous verification, with frequent peer reviews and structured testing activities. Day-to-day work centers on embedded software development in C, C++, and Python within real-time operating system (RTOS) environments, using modern software development tools and processes. The team culture values precision, accountability, and innovation, offering the opportunity to directly contribute to the development of a next-generation space plane as it moves toward future launch milestones.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tustin, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $90.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Tustin,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.