Entry Software Engineer

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Software Engineer
Job Description

This entry-level Software Engineer role focuses on testing and developing embedded flight software and system-level test scripts for advanced electronics in the UAS industry. You will work closely with a collaborative engineering team to write and maintain unit tests in C, perform black-box system validation, and gradually grow into deeper product and flight code development. This position offers strong growth opportunities for recent graduates who are eager to apply their C programming skills, contribute to real-world firmware and embedded projects, and build a career in advanced electronics and unmanned systems.

Responsibilities

• Write, execute, and maintain unit tests for flight and embedded software primarily written in C, ensuring tests are directly tied to implementation details.
• Debug software at the code and logic level by reading, understanding, and reasoning through existing C code to identify, isolate, and clearly explain defects.
• Safely modify or extend existing code as needed, following documentation and established practices to maintain reliability and stability.
• Perform black-box system testing to validate inputs and outputs without relying on internal code access, focusing on system and acceptance-style verification.
• Design system-level tests based on documentation that defines what to test, determining appropriate methods to achieve thorough coverage.
• Develop and maintain test scripts in C or JavaScript to support automation, creating repeatable and maintainable test frameworks and procedures.
• Apply automated testing concepts and frameworks to improve test efficiency, consistency, and coverage across embedded and system-level software.
• Identify gaps in test coverage and propose additional tests or approaches to ensure comprehensive validation of system behavior and requirements.
• Reproduce issues consistently and document them clearly, providing detailed technical descriptions that support efficient troubleshooting and resolution.
• Validate software correctness without modifying production code, maintaining a rigorous focus on verification, coverage, and quality assurance.
• Use JavaScript and/or Python to build or enhance unit test tooling and system test automation, supporting continuous improvement of test infrastructure.
• Follow documentation-driven development and testing practices, contributing to and using technical documentation to guide test design and implementation.
• Apply strong attention to detail when reviewing requirements, documentation, and test results, ensuring accurate and reliable verification outcomes.
• Collaborate with engineering teammates in office, lab, and field environments to execute tests, share findings, and support product development activities.
• Communicate technical findings effectively through clear technical writing, including test plans, test reports, defect descriptions, and status updates.
• Demonstrate readiness to transition into flight code and product development over time, progressively working deeper within the codebase and firmware stack.
• Engage in continuous learning around embedded systems, firmware, and system testing techniques to support growth into advanced electronics design.

Essential Skills

• 0–1 years of experience in software development or testing, including internships, co-ops, capstone projects, or similar academic/industry experience.
• Solid C programming skills, including the ability to read, understand, and reason through existing C code in an embedded or low-level context.
• Demonstrated debugging skills to identify, isolate, and explain software defects at the code and logic level.
• Familiarity with software testing concepts, including either unit testing or black-box testing in a technical environment.
• Experience or coursework in embedded systems, firmware, or low-level software projects.
• Comfort working with documentation-driven development and testing, using specifications and requirements to guide test design.
• Strong attention to detail and a mindset oriented toward validation, coverage, and rigor rather than solely feature development.
• Technical writing skills to produce clear, concise, and accurate documentation, test reports, and defect descriptions.
• Eligibility to work on ITAR-controlled projects, including the ability to comply with all applicable regulations.
• Ability to discuss academic or project contributions in C programming in detail, demonstrating strong knowledge and ownership of work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline (EE/ECE/CE background is helpful but not strictly required).
• Experience with embedded C development for microcontrollers or similar platforms, including firmware or low-level software projects.
• Strongly preferred: JavaScript and/or Python experience, especially for building unit test tooling, scripting, and test automation.
• Exposure to system-style testing, including black-box testing and acceptance verification in C or JavaScript.
• Familiarity with aerospace or complex systems environments, particularly UAS or related advanced electronics applications.
• Experience or knowledge of C# scripting for test automation or tooling is a nice-to-have but not required.
• Understanding of basic web or GUI concepts that may support test interfaces or tooling.
• Knowledge of timers, clock distribution, and serial communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Familiarity with edge-triggered interrupts, ADCs, DACs, and servicing interrupts in embedded systems.
• Interest in growing into advanced electronics design and embedded software development for unmanned systems.

Work Environment

This role is primarily on-site for the first nine months, providing close collaboration with a supportive engineering team and hands-on exposure to embedded systems and test environments. You will work in both office and lab spaces, using test equipment, development tools, and automation frameworks to validate flight and embedded software. The position also includes field testing activities where you help evaluate system behavior in real-world conditions. After the initial on-site period, the work model becomes more flexible, reflecting a culture that values teamwork, professional growth, and the opportunity to advance into sophisticated electronics and UAS design work.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of White Salmon, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.87 - $43.27/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in White Salmon,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 2026.

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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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 the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.