Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Description Job Title: Principal Embedded Software Engineer Location: on-Site, Melbourne, FL Employment Type: Direct Industry: Defense & Aerospace Compensation: $117k-$157k Shift: 1st Schedule: 9x80 About the Opportunity: The Principal Embedded Software Engineer serves as a technical leader responsible for defining software architecture, leading execution of complex embedded software projects, and driving technical decisions across multiple disciplines. This role combines deep hands-on technical expertise with project leadership responsibilities. The individual is expected to function as an individual contributor while also leading small software teams, coordinating technical execution, assigning work, monitoring progress, managing technical risks, and communicating project status to engineering and program leadership. The Principal Engineer is recognized as a subject matter expert and is responsible for ensuring successful technical execution of critical business and customer programs. What You'll Do: Technical Leadership Define software architectures for complex embedded systems and mission-critical products. Lead technical strategy, design reviews, and architectural decisions. Serve as the technical authority for software development activities. Drive technical solutions involving processors, FPGAs, sensors, imaging systems, networking, and embedded platforms. Evaluate technologies, tools, frameworks, and development approaches. Lead root-cause investigations for complex system-level issuesProject Leadership Project Leadership Lead small software development teams while remaining an active contributor. Translate program objectives into executable software development plans. Break down project work into tasks and assign responsibilities across team members. Track execution against schedules, milestones, and technical deliverables. Identify, communicate, and mitigate technical and program risks. Coordinate software activities across systems, hardware, FPGA, verification, manufacturing, and program teams. Provide regular project status, risks, and recovery plans to engineering management and program leadership. Support staffing, workload balancing, and technical mentoring activities. Individual Contributor Responsibilities Develop, integrate, debug, and verify embedded software. Perform code reviews and maintain software quality standards. Support customer demonstrations, field activities, integration events, and technical reviews. Contribute directly to critical project deliverables when needed. Why You'll Love Working Here: Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates Why This Opportunity is Exciting: This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally. About Acara Solutions Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide. Sound like a good fit? APPLY TODAY Job Requirements What You'll Bring: Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, software engineering, or a related technical discipline Minimum 8 years of professional experience in embedded software development Minimum 3 years of professional experience in team leadership What Sets You Apart: Expert-level proficiency in C and C++ Strong Python development experience. Extensive experience with Bare-Metal, FreeRTOS, and Embedded Linux environments. Extensive experience with AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC and/or MicroBlaze platforms. Strong understanding of embedded software architecture, real-time systems, and hardware/software co-design. Experience developing complex device drivers and middleware components. Experience leading software development efforts through the full product lifecycle. Demonstrated ability to lead small engineering teams while remaining a hands-on contributor. Experience developing project schedules, assigning technical work, and tracking execution. Experience presenting technical status, risks, and recommendations to management and stakeholders. Strong technical decision-making and problem-solving skills. Experience leading embedded software efforts for defense, aerospace, medical, or safety-critical products. Experience with EO/IR imaging systems, video processing, sensor integration, and high-speed interfaces. Experience with Ethernet, TCP/IP, lwIP, networking protocols, and distributed embedded systems. Experience with requirements-based development and formal verification methodologies. Experience supporting proposal activities, technical planning, and technology roadmaps. Experience serving as a technical lead, team lead, or project lead on multi-disciplinary engineering Additional Information: After you apply, you may receive a call or message from our AI Talent Scout about this role or other opportunities that match your skills and preferences. AI agent role is to help speed up your hiring process by answering questions, confirming basic information, and identifying whether there's a mutual fit. The call or chat may be recorded so that our recruiting team can review it - they make all final hiring decisions, while AI agent simply helps move you forward faster. The best part? They are available 24/7, so you can connect whenever it's convenient for you. Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran. Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.