Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer

Job#: 3034880

Job Description:

Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Employment Type: Contract to Perm

Job Location Requirement: Onsite

Security & Citizenship Requirements

Due to U.S. federal research contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. Citizens. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active Secret security clearance.

Role Overview

We are seeking an Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer to support the research, development, and integration of advanced communications, spectrum sensing, and RF-enabled systems for Department of Defense applications. This position focuses on the design and development of embedded software and firmware that operates within communications platforms, radio systems, and wireless infrastructure technologies.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing software and firmware for embedded RF systems rather than solely working at the network, systems integration, or communications deployment level. Candidates with backgrounds in 5G radio systems, software-defined radio (SDR), wireless communications, tactical communications, RF platforms, electronic warfare, or signal intelligence are especially encouraged to apply.

This role offers the opportunity to work alongside multidisciplinary research teams developing next-generation communications technologies spanning 5G, 6G, intelligent spectrum sensing, cognitive communications, electronic warfare, and other advanced defense communications capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded software and firmware solutions for communications and RF systems.
• Develop software packages and applications that meet system requirements and open-system architecture standards.
• Design and implement real-time embedded algorithms supporting communications, signal processing, and RF functionality.
• Develop software interfaces between embedded processors, FPGA-based systems, RF hardware, and higher-level software applications.
• Create and maintain software tools, scripts, and automation supporting development and testing activities.
• Develop embedded solutions utilizing FPGAs, DSPs, RFSoCs, microcontrollers, ASICs, GPUs, and related hardware platforms.
• Integrate embedded software with SDR platforms and wireless communications technologies.
• Participate in laboratory and field testing, troubleshooting, system characterization, and performance validation activities.
• Develop technical documentation supporting design reviews, software releases, and future system enhancements.
• Contribute to project execution through technical presentations, research activities, customer interactions, and team collaboration.
• Support the development of technical reports, conference papers, white papers, and competitive research proposals.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related engineering discipline.

Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program with a graduation date no later than May 2026 will be considered.

Experience

This is an open-rank position where level and compensation will be determined based on qualifications and experience. A bachelors degree with 0 years of related experience satisfies the minimum requirement.

Candidates should possess experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Embedded software and/or firmware development.
• Software development utilizing C and C++.
• Communications systems, RF systems, or wireless technologies.
• Real-time embedded systems development.
• SDR, RFSoC, FPGA, DSP, or other embedded hardware platforms.
• Research and development activities related to communications or signal processing systems.

Technical Skills

• Experience developing software on embedded hardware platforms.
• Proficiency with C, C++, and Python.
• Familiarity with source control systems (Git) and modern software development practices.
• Experience developing within Linux-based environments.
• Knowledge of FPGA development environments for Xilinx and Intel (Altera) technologies.
• Understanding of embedded software architecture, debugging, performance optimization, and hardware/software integration.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Security Clearance.
• 5+ years of professional embedded software and/or firmware development experience.
• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience developing embedded software or firmware for RF communication systems, radio units, or wireless infrastructure platforms.
• Experience supporting the development of 5G base stations, radio units, ORAN systems, or next-generation communications technologies.
• Experience implementing communication capabilities or waveforms on SDR platforms.
• Experience with RFSoC-based designs, SDR hardware, and embedded RF systems.
• Proficiency in modern C/C++ software development (C++11, C++17, C++20).
• Strong Linux development experience, including driver-level or low-level software development.
• Experience with containerized software development, deployment, and security practices.
• Experience developing software for tactical communications systems, Link 16, P25, SATURN, Iridium, VHF/UHF radios, or related defense communications technologies.
• Experience in electronic warfare (EW), signal intelligence (SIGINT), cognitive communications, or spectrum sensing systems.
• Strong background in signal processing, communications theory, mathematics, or machine learning.
• Familiarity with open architectures such as ORAN, SOSA, CMOSS, or similar modular defense frameworks.

Ideal Candidate Backgrounds

The strongest candidates will have experience developing the embedded software or firmware that operates within RF communication systems and radio hardware. Experience with organizations that design and build communications technologies-including Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola Solutions, Apple, defense communications companies, wireless infrastructure providers, or similar organizations-is highly desirable.

Candidates with backgrounds in tactical communications, SDR development, RF systems, EW, and SIGINT are also highly relevant, provided their experience includes hands-on embedded software or firmware development.

What Will Make Someone Successful

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong embedded software and firmware development skills in C/C++.
• Experience developing software that directly interfaces with RF hardware, radio systems, or wireless communications platforms.
• A solid understanding of communications systems beyond network deployment or testing activities.
• The ability to work across software, firmware, communications, and RF disciplines.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to contribute to advanced research and development initiatives.

Note: This role is focused on developing the software and firmware inside communication and radio systems-not on network stand-up activities, cell tower deployment, avionics bus integration, or communications system testing alone. Candidates with direct experience developing embedded communications functionality will be most competitive.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated salary for this position is $86,000 - $150,000 annually, depending on qualifications, experience, education, and applicable security clearance status. A comprehensive benefits package is available to eligible employees.

This employer is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details.

If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at https://www.apexsystems.com/privacy-policy

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.

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Employee Type:

Contract

Location:

Atlanta, GA, US

Job Type:

Date Posted:

May 18, 2026

Pay Range:

$42 - $72 per hour

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