Job Description
Job DescriptionJob Title: Embedded Systems EngineerJob Description
The Embedded Systems Engineer develops and maintains the firmware that powers small unmanned aircraft systems and associated ground equipment for demanding defense applications. This role spans the full embedded stackfrom bootloaders and device drivers to control loops and PX4 integrationcovering flight-controller integration, battery management, motor control, lighting systems, and communication links. The engineer works closely with cross-functional teams to deliver production-ready systems that operate reliably in real-world flight conditions.
Responsibilities
- Develop, test, and maintain embedded firmware in C and C++ for STM32 and similar ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
- Integrate with and extend a PX4-based flight-control stack to support new aircraft capabilities and features.
- Design and implement device drivers and control loops using SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN communication interfaces.
- Build robust embedded communication systems using MAVLink and DroneCAN/UAVCAN protocols.
- Support board bring-up and hardware verification in collaboration with the electronics engineering team.
- Implement secure boot, cryptographic signing, signed firmware updates, and field-update mechanisms to protect deployed systems.
- Debug, profile, and harden firmware to ensure reliability and resilience in challenging field conditions.
- Develop production flashing, testing, and provisioning tools to support manufacturing and deployment.
- Participate in aircraft flight testing and conduct post-flight log analysis to improve performance and reliability.
- Collaborate closely with electrical, manufacturing, and flight-test personnel throughout the product-development lifecycle.
- Troubleshoot issues across embedded software, electronics, communications, and system-level integration.
- Contribute to board bring-up and system testing, ensuring tight integration between firmware and custom PCB hardware.
- Participate in PCB design reviews by interpreting electrical schematics and providing firmware-focused feedback.
Essential Skills
- 3+ years of professional embedded C/C++ development experience with firmware that has shipped in a product.
- Strong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded systems development.
- Experience developing on STM32 or similar ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
- Bare-metal and RTOS development experience with NuttX, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar real-time operating systems.
- Experience implementing and troubleshooting SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN communications.
- Hands-on hardware debugging experience using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD tools.
- Strong understanding of microcontroller architecture, including interrupts, DMA, and timing behavior.
- Ability to troubleshoot issues across embedded software, electronics, communications, and system-level integration.
- Understanding of the interaction between firmware and custom PCB hardware.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and participate in PCB design reviews.
- Experience with board bring-up and hardware verification.
- Experience developing production flashing, testing, and provisioning tools.
- Experience with MAVLink and DroneCAN/UAVCAN communication protocols.
- Direct development experience with PX4 or ArduPilot flight-control systems.
- Experience with STM32 HAL/LL and NuttX.
- Experience with secure boot, cryptographic signing, signed firmware updates, or anti-tamper techniques.
- Flight testing and post-flight log analysis experience.
- Strong ownership mentality and willingness to work across traditional engineering boundaries.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
- Experience with embedded software and firmware development for unmanned aircraft systems or similar safety-critical platforms.
- Familiarity with PX4-based flight-control stacks and related tooling.
- Knowledge of battery management, motor control, lighting systems, and communication links in embedded environments.
- Experience with electrical schematics and participation in PCB design reviews.
- Exposure to PCB design tools such as KiCad, Altium, or Cadence.
- Comfort working in a hands-on, product-focused startup environment.
- Ability to work collaboratively with electrical, manufacturing, and flight-test teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in debugging and system optimization.
Work Environment
This role is primarily on-site in a temperature-controlled office and warehouse environment. Engineers work closely with the physical aircraft and ground equipment, gaining direct exposure to the complete product lifecycle, including design, firmware, electronics, assembly, production, and flight testing. The environment offers a high level of technical ownership over assigned systems and components and frequent opportunities to see firmware operating on real aircraft within weeks. Team members collaborate closely across disciplines and benefit from comprehensive employee health-insurance coverage and a 401(k) plan with employer match.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Auburn Hills, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $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 & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Auburn Hills, MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 27, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Auburn Hills,MI.
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.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.