Senior Embedded Software Engineer – Real-Time Multi-Sensor Systems

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid Preferred)

Company: Systems & Processing Engineering Corp (SPEC)

Systems & Processing Engineering Corp (SPEC) is seeking a highly experienced Embedded Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and test of next-generation real-time, multiband, multi-sensor systems. These systems operate across RF and digital domains and incorporate advanced signal processing, AI/ML techniques, and hardware-in-the-loop validation for defense and national security applications.

This role is ideal for an engineer who is comfortable working close to the hardware, thrives in fast-paced R&D environments, and has experience delivering robust embedded solutions for complex sensing or electronic warfare systems.

Key Responsibilities

· Design and implement real-time embedded software for multi-channel, multiband RF and sensor systems.

· Develop low-latency, high-throughput processing pipelines for signal acquisition, conditioning, and data fusion.

· Integrate AI/ML inference capabilities into embedded or edge-compute environments.

· Interface directly with FPGA/SoC platforms (for example, Xilinx or Intel) and high-speed data converters.

· Support system integration, debugging, and verification in lab and field environments.

· Develop and execute test frameworks, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and automated validation.

· Collaborate with RF, FPGA, and systems engineering teams to optimize performance across the full stack.

· Contribute to architecture decisions for scalable, modular, and reusable software frameworks.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

· 5+ years of experience in embedded software development for real-time systems.

· Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded platforms.

· Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux.

· Familiarity with high-speed interfaces such as SPI, JESD204, PCIe, and Ethernet.

· Experience working close to hardware, including debugging with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.

· Understanding of multithreaded, deterministic, and low-latency system design.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience with RF systems, radar, electronic warfare, or software-defined radio (SDR).

· Familiarity with Digital RF Memory (DRFM) or similar signal replay/generation systems.

· Experience deploying AI/ML models on embedded or edge platforms (for example, TensorRT, ONNX, or Vitis AI).

· Exposure to FPGA-based systems and hardware/software co-design.

· Experience with Python for test automation and data analysis.

· Knowledge of signal processing techniques including FFT, filtering, detection, and classification.

· Experience in DoD programs, SBIRs, or government contracting environments.

Additional Requirements

· U.S. citizenship required.

· Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Why SPEC

· Work on cutting-edge RF, AI, and electronic warfare systems.

· Join a small, highly technical team with significant autonomy and impact.

· Contribute directly to system architecture and end-to-end development.

· Help shape next-generation defense capabilities.