Software Developer, Software Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

Idaho National Laboratory seeks Software Developers to apply engineering principles and create solutions for complex analytical processes, information visualization, and mission‑critical applications supporting nuclear energy and national security research. You will plan, develop, and implement software solutions to complex problems and major projects, support project planning with scope and cost estimates, participate in technical reviews at various development phases, and maintain and upgrade systems while developing new capabilities.

Your responsibilities include creating and reviewing methodologies and architectures that advance organizational missions, ensuring compliance with safety, security, and quality requirements, documenting activities and technologies, writing technical papers representing Idaho National Laboratory, and reviewing source code and system documentation to assess quality and recommend improvements. You will engage in professional development to maintain technical proficiency, define strategic direction in assigned areas, and mentor junior engineers while using IDEs, development languages, and emerging technologies.

• Design, develop, test, and maintain robust software applications and systems using C, C++, and Python.
• Architect and implement full software stacks from embedded/low‑level firmware layers through application‑level interfaces.
• Lead and contribute to software architecture design, ensuring scalability, modularity, and long‑term maintainability.
• Perform software integration across hardware and software subsystems, ensuring seamless interoperability.
• Develop and execute unit, integration, and system‑level test plans and procedures.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including systems engineers, hardware engineers, and mission specialists.
• Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and technical documentation efforts.
• Apply and adhere to safety‑critical software development standards (e.g., DO‑178C, MISRA C/C++, NASA‑STD‑8739.8, or equivalent).
• Support the development of software for nuclear systems and/or space flight applications, including real‑time operating systems (RTOS) and flight software frameworks.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of software development processes, tool chains, and best practices.
• Debug and resolve complex software defects and performance bottlenecks across the full software stack.

• Level 3:
  Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer information systems, systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field and 5 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree and 2 years of relevant experience; or a PhD and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Level 4:
  Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience; or a PhD and 4 years of relevant experience.
• Full software stack development (embedded, middleware, and/or application layers).
• Software integration across complex hardware/software systems.
• Software architecture design and documentation.
• Version control and collaborative development (e.g., Git, SVN).
• Proficiency in C, C++, and Python — must demonstrate strong command of all three languages.
• Experience with real‑time systems development.
• Strong expertise with embedded hardware development.
• Solid understanding of operating systems concepts (Linux, RTOS such as VxWorks, FreeRTOS, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, including Agile and/or waterfall.
• Experience writing and maintaining technical documentation (design documents, interface control documents, test procedures).
• Proficiency with debugging tools, static analysis tools, and profilers.
• This position requires that you obtain and maintain Q‑clearance and SCI access, which requires U.S. citizenship.

• Experience developing software for nuclear systems, including instrumentation and control (I&C), reactor monitoring, or safety systems.

• Flight software architecture (e.g., NASA cFS,…