Embedded Software Engineer - Hardware Electronics

$80,000 - $151,000/Yr

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory - Huntsville, AL

Full-time - Entry Level

Onsite - Huntsville, AL

1,001-5,000 employees

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with over 2,000 employees dedicated to tackling significant national challenges. The Software Engineer 1 position is focused on mission-oriented projects that range from self-driving cars and unmanned vehicles to medical applications and battlefield situational awareness systems. As part of the Software Engineering Team, the selected candidate will engage in multiple projects within an Agile environment, transforming customer requirements into functional and scalable software solutions. This role involves working closely with the Embedded Software Group, concentrating on low-power sensor systems and complex multi-processor embedded software systems, including domains such as imaging, GPS, cellular, guidance, navigation, control, and mapping systems. The Software Engineer will be responsible for executing task assignments independently under the guidance of program leadership and senior staff. This includes designing algorithms using modern theories and proven techniques, analyzing designs for performance and functionality, developing and executing software tests to ensure compliance with requirements, and preparing necessary technical documentation. Effective communication with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe designs and deliverables is crucial. The candidate will also need to identify challenges and risks associated with assigned tasks and communicate these to project leadership. This position offers an opportunity to work in a collaborative environment that fosters innovation through the cross-fertilization of ideas. Draper values a curiosity-driven approach to problem-solving and encourages team members to learn new programming languages and technologies quickly. The ideal candidate will be a team player who can balance multiple competing tasks in a fast-paced environment while advocating for users.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute task assignments under the oversight of program leadership and/or senior staff.
• Design algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques, adhering to software best practices.
• Analyze designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develop and execute software tests to check compliance with requirements.
• Prepare technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
• Communicate with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
• Identify challenges and risks associated with assigned tasks and communicate them to project leadership.

Requirements

• Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or other related field.
• 0-3 years experience in Software Engineering or related field.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree is preferred.
• Willingness to learn and grow skillset.
• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate an ability to learn new programming languages and technologies quickly.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
• A team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Advocate for users.

Benefits

• Work-life balance programs including workplace flexibility.
• Employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga.
• Health and finance workshops.
• Off-site social events.
• Discounts to local museums and cultural activities.