Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Attalon / Location Overview

Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.

Job Details

The Emerging Laser Subsystems Business Unit at Attalon Inc. is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to help drive the development of next‑generation laser systems for defense applications. In this role, you will collaborate closely with systems, electrical, and optical engineering teams to define software requirements, create interface specifications, and design, integrate, and test embedded software. The Principal Embedded Software Engineer will play a key role in shaping platform and architecture decisions, while remaining hands‑on throughout the entire software development lifecycle to ensure delivery of high‑quality, safety‑critical software.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and document software for assigned programs. Create design documentation including Software Requirements Documents, block diagrams, Software Design Documents, and Interface Control Documents. Works as a member of a cross-disciplinary team of systems engineers, optical engineers, electrical engineers, and FPGA engineers.
• Develop software (primarily embedded) to meet the requirements of the system under development. Write software scripts and tools to support software development and system test.
• Develop Software Test Plans and support integration and test activities from initial board-level bring-up through final system test.
• Participate in writing proposals and providing cost and schedule estimates in support of new business pursuits.
• Make accurate detailed work plans for complex embedded systems/projects; take the lead in planning and executing software tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field with 12+ years of experience, or Master’s degree with 10+ years of experience in embedded software development with coding in languages including C, C++
• 8+ years of experience architecting, designing and documenting software solutions and interfaces for embedded systems
• 8+ years of experience with board bring-up, hardware/software integration, driver development and debugging embedded systems in lab environment
• Strong understanding of embedded processor platforms and familiarity with microcontrollers (ARM, STMicro or similar), FPGAs and system-on-chip devices

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related technical field with 15+ years of experience in embedded software development
• 15+ years of experience developing software for RTOS and/or embedded Linux environments, spanning microcontroller platforms and device-level interfaces
• Prior experience developing and integrating embedded networking stacks and implementing/debugging serial device drivers
• Prior experience with AMD/Xilinx platforms, including interfacing embedded software with FPGA‑based subsystems
• Prior experience in developing user interfaces (C#, python or similar) for embedded product testing and integration
• Prior experience with high-reliability systems for defense and/or space

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.