Job Title: Payload Flight Software Lead (Engineer Embedded Software 3)Job DescriptionThis role serves as a Payload Flight Software Lead within a Western Region Software Engineering Organization, responsible for leading a team of software engineers in the design, architecture, development, integration, testing, and verification of flight software for embedded and real-time systems. The position is on-site in Redondo Beach, California, and focuses on delivering mission-critical flight software that supports advanced payloads and complex integrated systems. This contract role is intended to align with a full-time Payload Flight Software Lead position and offers the opportunity to contribute to highly innovative and impactful aerospace and defense programs.
Responsibilities
- Lead a team of software engineers in the design, architecture, development, integration, testing, and verification of flight software solutions for embedded and real-time systems.
- Define, develop, and maintain software architectures for complex payload flight software, ensuring alignment with system requirements and program objectives.
- Produce and maintain architectural artifacts, including block diagrams, interface control documents, traceability matrices, and trade studies that clearly document system behavior and interfaces.
- Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including Systems Engineering, Hardware, and Integration & Test, to ensure cohesive and robust system-level solutions.
- Analyze system capabilities and requirements to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to program intent, output requirements, data acquisition, programming methods, and control strategies.
- Define and architect system-level solutions, including security architecture designs, in close collaboration with internal project teams, external partners, and customers.
- Implement, integrate, and debug embedded and real-time software to meet defined completion criteria, performance requirements, and reliability targets.
- Manage the full software development lifecycle from requirements analysis through implementation, integration, testing, and documentation, ensuring compliance with program standards and processes.
- Create and maintain comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle, including design descriptions, test procedures, and user documentation.
- Apply expertise in real-time operating systems, such as VxWorks, to develop and optimize flight software that meets timing, reliability, and safety constraints.
- Implement and validate bus communication and data interfaces using protocols such as MIL-STD-1553 and SpaceWire, ensuring robust and reliable data exchange.
- Support or lead proposal efforts by contributing to system requirements definition, task descriptions, basis of estimates, and key tradeoffs in code efficiency, memory usage, and cost.
- Support Cost Account Management activities by planning, tracking, and reporting on software development scope, schedule, and resources as required.
- Leverage Agile software development practices to plan and execute work in iterations, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and deliver incremental value.
- Utilize CI/CD pipeline tools, such as Jenkins, to automate builds, testing, and integration, improving software quality and development efficiency.
- Participate in system integration and test activities with RF, digital, links, power-conversion flight hardware, and related systems, helping to identify and resolve software and system-level issues.
- Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to team members, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure that all work products comply with applicable standards, security requirements, and program guidelines, particularly for highly sensitive and classified systems.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 12 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 10 years of relevant experience, or a PhD in a STEM discipline with 10 years of relevant experience.
- Active Top Secret SCI (TS/SCI) clearance at the time of application.
- Demonstrated experience leading a software team, including technical direction and coordination of development activities.
- Expert-level proficiency in embedded C and C++ development for real-time and embedded systems.
- Extensive experience with real-time operating systems, particularly Wind River VxWorks.
- Proven proficiency across the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), from requirements analysis through design, implementation, integration, testing, and maintenance.
- Strong proficiency in creating and maintaining comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle, including design, interface, and test documentation.
- Proficiency in bus implementation and communication protocols such as MIL-STD-1553 and SpaceWire.
- Ability to understand and decompose system requirements, translate them into software designs, and implement solutions that meet defined completion criteria.
- Demonstrated ability to define and evolve software architectures for embedded and real-time systems.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for complex integrated applications, test setups, and system-level issues involving hardware and software interactions.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Cost Account Management (CAM), including planning, tracking, and reporting on software development scope and costs.
- Experience supporting or leading proposal efforts, including writing system requirements, task descriptions, basis of estimates, and making key tradeoffs in code efficiency, memory usage, and cost.
- Experience working in Agile software development environments, including iterative planning, backlog management, and collaborative team practices.
- Experience using CI/CD pipeline tools, such as Jenkins, to automate builds, integration, and testing.
- Familiarity with software testing practices for embedded and real-time systems, including unit, integration, and system-level testing.
- Experience with SpaceWire and MIL-STD-1553 bus implementations in flight or mission-critical systems.
- Experience integrating software with RF, digital, links, and power-conversion flight hardware and participating in system integration and test activities.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and with external partners and customers.
- Demonstrated ability to operate in highly secure environments and adhere to strict security and compliance requirements.
Work EnvironmentThis role is based on-site in Redondo Beach, California, supporting a payload program that involves RF, digital, links, power-conversion flight hardware, and system integration and test activities. You will work within a Western Region Software Engineering Organization that emphasizes intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work. The environment is highly collaborative and mission-driven, with close interaction among software, systems, hardware, and integration & test teams. The work schedule follows a 9x80 arrangement, providing a compressed workweek structure. The position involves working with advanced embedded and real-time technologies, including Wind River VxWorks, embedded C/C++, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire, and CI/CD tools such as Jenkins. The role supports highly sensitive and classified programs, requiring an active Top Secret SCI clearance and adherence to strict security protocols. The culture encourages bold ideas, innovation, and a pioneering spirit, offering opportunities to contribute to impactful, cutting-edge aerospace and defense systems. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Redondo Beach, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $80.00 - $95.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Redondo Beach, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Redondo Beach,CA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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