Job Title: Senior Software Engineer Hard Real-Time Embedded C++Job DescriptionThis Senior software engineer role focuses on designing and developing hard real-time embedded C++ software for munitions-related systems in a highly technical, safety-critical environment. The position is based in Maple Grove, MN and is approximately 90% hands-on software design and development and 10% software technical leadership. You will work within an integrated product team to deliver high-quality, real-time embedded solutions that meet stringent performance, safety, and cybersecurity requirements, while leading project execution across the full software development lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain hard real-time embedded C++ software for munitions-related systems using object-oriented design principles.
- Serve as a Senior individual contributor for software design and development activities, comprising roughly 90% of the role.
- Provide software technical leadership for approximately 10% of the role, guiding the technical direction and supporting project teams.
- Oversee software engineering efforts, including estimating, planning, requirements analysis, architecture, detailed design, implementation, unit testing, hardware/software integration, integration testing, simulated flyout testing, and range testing.
- Monitor and control the execution of software engineering activities, taking corrective actions as needed to keep technical scope, cost, and schedule on track.
- Support the software verification lead in planning software verification, designing verification environments, and developing, executing, debugging, and reviewing verification test scripts and procedures.
- Ensure project teams support Software Quality Assurance and Software Configuration Management audits and related activities.
- Coordinate with Safety Engineering to ensure software requirements, safety analyses, and software safety efforts are completed accurately, documented properly, and delivered on time.
- Drive appropriate levels of rigor for architecture, design, implementation, integration, and verification work products associated with safety-related and safety-critical software requirements.
- Achieve on-time delivery of contract software deliverables with acceptable quality and a target of 90% or higher first-pass customer acceptance.
- Ensure project teams execute with disciplined processes aligned with tailored Business Management System procedures approved by functional leadership.
- Oversee assigned Control Accounts or Work Packages, including task planning, progress monitoring, status reporting, and corrective action to meet cost, quality, performance, and schedule constraints.
- Provide periodic estimates at complete (EAC) and other project reporting inputs for each contract or work directive assigned.
- Plan software project schedules and build plans that align with higher-level product development schedules.
- Collaborate with software IPT leads and program engineering managers to plan formal software development milestone reviews with United States Government customer representatives, including System/Software Requirements Reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, and Test Readiness Reviews.
- Develop and present software engineering content for formal milestone events in coordination with the software IPT lead.
- Evaluate software requirements for consistency with higher-level system performance requirements, customer requirements, statements of work, and other contractual documents.
- Coordinate closely with the software architect to ensure designs meet customer needs and established requirements, and ensure appropriate involvement of software functional management and the munitions software architect in architecture and significant design decisions.
- Guide the project team in collaborative problem solving and ensure appropriate representation from software architecture and other relevant stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively to resolve conflicts between subsystems and engineering disciplines to optimize system performance, quality, reliability, and cost.
- Plan and ensure appropriate engagement of stakeholders in software project activities, referencing and applying the projects stakeholder matrix.
- Engage systems engineering, safety engineering, software architecture, and other stakeholders at appropriate points in the development lifecycle.
- Elevate issues and questions that define, modify, or affect product behavior to the appropriate integrated product teams for resolution.
- Communicate proactively with software IPT leads, functional managers, program engineering managers, and program managers regarding project status, issues, and needs.
- Promptly notify management of emerging risks, issues, and opportunities, escalating as needed to ensure awareness and timely resolution.
- Provide clear, concise work direction and technical guidance to project personnel.
- Apply knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines, stakeholder inputs, and in-depth understanding of assigned products or technologies to guide project direction and outcomes.
- Coordinate and ensure that all cybersecurity efforts within the software domain are properly planned, executed, and integrated into the software development lifecycle.
- Prepare and present project metrics and technical status at formal milestone reviews, technical interchange meetings, and integrated product team meetings with customers, teammates, and internal stakeholders.
- Plan and manage internal and external resources to meet project obligations and objectives, including coordination with multiple functional and project managers to identify and secure necessary resources.
- Provide balanced, constructive performance and development review inputs for assigned project personnel, focusing on objectives and performance.
- Support the continuous enhancement of the organizations technical reputation with customers and within the broader industry through high-quality technical work and professional interactions.
Essential Skills
- 5+ years of professional software development experience.
- Bachelors degree in software engineering, computer science, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Strong proficiency in hard real-time embedded C++ development.
- Demonstrated experience with object-oriented design for embedded systems.
- Hands-on experience developing software on real-time operating systems (RTOS) and/or bare-metal real-time platforms.
- Practical knowledge and experience with formal software management processes, including planning, tracking, and reporting.
- Practical knowledge and experience with engineering development processes across the full software lifecycle.
- Experience with embedded software development on platforms such as Linux or similar environments.
- Ability to lead and oversee complex software engineering efforts, including requirements analysis, architecture, design, implementation, integration, and testing.
- Strong skills in monitoring project execution and implementing corrective actions to maintain technical, cost, and schedule performance.
- Experience supporting or conducting software verification activities, including test planning, environment design, and test script development and execution.
- Familiarity with Software Quality Assurance and Software Configuration Management practices and audits.
- Experience working with safety-related or safety-critical software requirements and associated levels of rigor for architecture, design, implementation, integration, and verification.
- Ability to evaluate software requirements for consistency with higher-level system and customer requirements and contractual documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate and collaborate with software architects, systems engineers, safety engineers, and other stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to guide collaborative resolution of technical issues across subsystems and disciplines.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to present technical status, metrics, and design content to customers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
- Proven ability to plan and manage software project schedules, builds, and resource allocations.
- Experience preparing and participating in formal technical reviews such as requirements reviews, design reviews, and test readiness reviews.
- Demonstrated capability to provide clear work direction and technical guidance to project team members.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Cybersecurity certification is highly desirable and considered a strong asset.
- Experience coordinating cybersecurity activities within the software domain.
- Experience working with United States Government customers and formal milestone review processes.
- Background in munitions, defense, or other safety-critical and mission-critical systems.
- Experience with simulated flyout testing and range testing for real-time embedded systems.
- Familiarity with Business Management System (BMS) procedures or similar process frameworks.
- Experience managing Control Accounts or Work Packages, including cost and schedule accountability.
- Experience preparing estimates at complete (EAC) and other project financial or progress reports.
- Prior involvement in integrated product teams (IPTs) and technical interchange meetings.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to performance and development reviews for project personnel.
- Track record of building and maintaining strong technical reputations with customers and industry partners.
Work EnvironmentThe role is based in Maple Grove, MN within a structured engineering organization focused on munitions and other safety-critical systems. You will work in a collaborative integrated product team environment that brings together software engineering, systems engineering, safety engineering, and cybersecurity specialists. The work involves extensive hands-on development of hard real-time embedded C++ software, including work with RTOS and bare-metal platforms, and may include Linux-based embedded environments. The position requires adherence to formal software management and engineering development processes, including Business Management System procedures, Software Quality Assurance, and Software Configuration Management practices. You will participate in formal technical reviews, technical interchange meetings, and integrated product team sessions with internal stakeholders and United States Government customer representatives. The environment emphasizes disciplined engineering, careful documentation, and rigorous verification and testing, including hardware/software integration, simulated flyout testing, and range testing. Work hours generally follow a standard full-time schedule, with flexibility driven by project milestones and customer reviews. The culture values technical excellence, proactive communication, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement of both processes and technical capabilities. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Maple Grove, MN. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/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 position based out of Maple Grove, MN. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Maple Grove,MN.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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