Lead Embedded Software Engineer - Clearance

Overview

Embedded Software Engineer position with GE Aerospace Defense and Systems. Join the Advanced Technologies team in Grand Rapids, MI, working on innovative solutions for custom hardware, including stores management, cyber security, networking, and sensing & signal processing. Requires an active U.S. Security Clearance and relocation assistance will be provided.

As a Lead Embedded Software Engineer you will design, develop, test, and maintain embedded software, firmware, platforms, and systems for mission‑critical technologies and products. You will collaborate with skilled engineers, taking full ownership of your role and delivering high-quality software with moderate autonomy and operational judgment.

• Design, develop, or program modules or complete embedded software products.
• Define and formalize system, hardware, software, and human integration requirements.
• Define and execute engineering test, validation, and verification activities.
• Follow established software development methodologies and document tasks and designs.
• Validate and verify software designs in diverse integration environments, from desktop simulations to flight tests.
• Implement protocols and algorithms for resource‑constrained environments and collaborate with hardware teams.
• Ensure software robustness, resilience, and fail‑safe operation; mitigate safety and security vulnerabilities.
• Create detailed design and technical documentation, optimize existing applications, and implement new features.
• Participate in task prioritization, execution, requirements, specifications, code and design reviews, and mentorship throughout the SDLC.
• Apply best practices for embedded software engineering and understand key business drivers and product roadmap.
• Deliver work to support project scope, cost, and schedule targets; interface effectively with all levels of the organization and customers.
• Propose novel solutions to technical challenges and generate cost/time estimates for future bids and programs.

• Bachelor’s degree + 5 years of related embedded software engineering experience or Master’s degree + 2 years of experience in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related STEM fields.
• Proficiency in Ada, C, C++ or equivalent languages.
• Ability to maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance; U.S. citizenship required. Preference for current clearance holders.

• Master’s degree in engineering or computer science.
• Extensive experience in Ada for embedded software design, development, and testing.
• Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Perl, Tcl, etc.) and code‑management tools (Git, CVS, SVN, Perforce, etc.).
• Experience with network protocols, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking concepts, Ethernet, VLAN tagging; familiarity with IPv6 Neighbor Discovery desirable.
• Experience implementing or integrating IPsec and IKE (v1/v2).
• Experience with RTOS (Linux, FreeRTOS, QNX, VxWorks, etc.) and device drivers for parallel, multi‑threading, distributed processing, multi‑core, SoM, or secure processing.
• Experience with embedded software testing, debugging, and integration on hardware using debuggers (gdb, lldb, etc.); test equipment; UART, JTAG, oscilloscopes.
• Experience working in mission‑critical industries (aerospace, automotive, defense, first responder, medical devices, etc.) turning CONOPS or specifications into design, code, test plans, and execution.
• Innovative, critical‑thinking and troubleshooting skills; proficiency with IDEs, version control, defect tracking, and scripting tools.
• Experience with bare‑metal software optimization, compiler use, build, and source‑code control tools.
• Experience with model‑based engineering using Cameo.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of system interfaces (e.g., Ethernet, Mil‑Std‑1553, Serial) and component interfaces (e.g., I2C, SPI, PCIe).
• Possession of a current U.S. Government Security Clearance.

The base pay range is $95,000.00 – $ USD annually. Salary may be influenced by experience, education, and skill set. The position includes an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary.