Principal Embedded Software Engineer

• Job Type:
  Direct Placement
• Duration:
  Direct Placement

Job Title: Principal Embedded Software Engineer Location: on-Site, Melbourne, FL

Employment Type: Direct

Schedule: 9x80

The Principal Embedded Software Engineer serves as a technical leader responsible for defining software architecture, leading execution of complex embedded software projects, and driving technical decisions across multiple disciplines. This role combines deep hands-on technical expertise with project leadership responsibilities. The individual is expected to function as an individual contributor while also leading small software teams, coordinating technical execution, assigning work, monitoring progress, managing technical risks, and communicating project status to engineering and program leadership.

The Principal Engineer is recognized as a subject matter expert and is responsible for ensuring successful technical execution of critical business and customer programs.

• Define software architectures for complex embedded systems and mission-critical products.
• Lead technical strategy, design reviews, and architectural decisions.
• Serve as the technical authority for software development activities.
• Drive technical solutions involving processors, FPGAs, sensors, imaging systems, networking, and embedded platforms.
• Evaluate technologies, tools, frameworks, and development approaches.

• Lead root-cause investigations for complex system-level issues
• Lead small software development teams while remaining an active contributor.
• Break down project work into tasks and assign responsibilities across team members.
• Track execution against schedules, milestones, and technical deliverables.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate technical and program risks.
• Coordinate software activities across systems, hardware, FPGA, verification, manufacturing, and program teams.
• Provide regular project status, risks, and recovery plans to engineering management and program leadership.
• Support staffing, workload balancing, and technical mentoring activities.
• Develop, integrate, debug, and verify embedded software.
• Perform code reviews and maintain software quality standards.
• Support customer demonstrations, field activities, integration events, and technical reviews.
• Contribute directly to critical project deliverables when needed.

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates

This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally.

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, software engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in embedded software development
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in team leadership

• Expert-level proficiency in C and C++
• Extensive experience with Bare-Metal, FreeRTOS, and Embedded Linux environments.
• Extensive experience with AMD/Xilinx Zynq Ultra Scale+ MPSoC and/or Micro Blaze platforms.
• Strong understanding of embedded software architecture, real-time systems, and hardware/software co-design.
• Experience developing complex device drivers and middleware components.
• Experience leading software development efforts through the full product lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to lead small engineering teams while remaining a hands-on contributor.
• Experience developing project schedules, assigning technical work, and tracking execution.
• Experience presenting technical status, risks, and recommendations to management and stakeholders.
• Strong technical decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading embedded software efforts for defense, aerospace, medical, or safety-critical products.
• Experience with EO/IR imaging systems, video processing, sensor integration, and high-speed interfaces.
• Experience with Ethernet, TCP/IP, lwIP, networking protocols, and distributed embedded systems.
• Experience with requirements-based development and formal verification methodologies.
• Experience…