Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Contract

Job Title: Senior Embedded Software Engineer (Contractor, US Citizen Only)

Company: Harrison Clarke

Location: Remote (US‑only)

Type: Contract / 6–12 month assignment, with extension potential

Start: ASAP

About Harrison Clarke:

We work with VC‑backed businesses from early‑stage startups to late‑stage, production‑focused companies , helping them hire critical technical talent that accelerates product development, manufacturing, and field deployment.

As part of our work with VC clients and their portfolio, you will be embedded into high‑velocity engineering teams working on autonomous systems, robotics, defense hardware, and AI‑enabled platforms , where reliability, safety, and real‑time performance are non‑negotiable.

The Role:

You will be hired as a contractor (via Harrison Clarke) to support our VC‑connected robotics and defense clients in the US. Your core focus will be embedded software development for production‑grade systems, typically in:

• Robotics platforms (autonomous mobile robots, humanoids, inspection / defense robots).
• Defense and industrial systems (sensors, C2, autonomy stacks, mission‑critical hardware).

You must be a US Citizen and authorized to work as a contractor on US‑only assignments. This is not open to non‑US‑based or non‑US‑citizen candidates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, debug, and maintain embedded firmware and real‑time software for resource‑constrained processors and microcontrollers.
• Work across the full stack: from bare‑metal drivers and RTOS to higher‑level control and autonomy modules .
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, autonomy, and systems engineers to define and implement robust, safety‑oriented software architectures.
• Implement and test communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, serial, SPI, I2C) and sensor interfaces for motors, LiDAR, cameras, and IMUs.
• Contribute to cross‑team tools and libraries , including build systems, CI/CD pipelines, and testing infrastructure for embedded targets.
• Ensure software meets functional safety, security, and reliability standards relevant to defense and robotics applications.
• Interface with our Harrison Clarke team and VC‑backed clients to understand business context, timelines, and technical constraints, and to help scale talent pipelines where needed.

Requirements:

• US Citizen and eligible to work as a contractor on US‑only engagements .
• 6+ years of professional embedded software development experience in C/C++ and/or Rust.
• Strong experience with real‑time systems, RTOS, and bare‑metal programming (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, NuttX, etc.).
• Hands‑on experience with microcontrollers and SoCs (e.g., Arm Cortex‑M/A, RISC‑V), including bootloaders, interrupts, and low‑power modes.
• Experience interfacing with sensors, motors, and communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART).
• Familiarity with robotics or autonomy stacks (ROS/ROS‑2 is a plus).
• Experience working through full product cycles , from prototyping to volume production .
• Comfort working in fast‑paced, cross‑functional teams in startups and mid‑stage scale‑ups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to document designs and trade‑offs clearly.

Nice‑to‑have:

• Experience with safety‑critical or defense‑related systems (MIL, avionics, or industrial‑automation environments).
• Exposure to functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508, or similar).
• Experience with CI/CD for embedded targets , Docker, and test automation.
• Prior contracting or consultancy experience in deep‑tech, robotics, or defense.

What We Offer

• High‑impact, contract‑based engagements with well‑funded VC‑backed robotics and defense companies.
• Freedom to choose high‑signal projects aligned with your technical and career interests.
• Clear, upfront expectations on duration, deliverables, and reporting lines for each assignment.
• Support from Harrison Clarke’s technical‑recruitment team , including introductions, interview prep, and ongoing feedback.