Lead Embedded Software Engineer

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

As a Lead Embedded Software Engineer, you will serve as a key technical leader within Castelion's Software organization. You will define architecture, guide engineering direction, and ensure reliable delivery of mission-critical embedded software across the vehicle stack. In addition to owning complex subsystems, you will mentor engineers, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and set the technical tempo for the team. This role is ideal for engineers who combine deep technical expertise with an ability to lead others, influence system-level decisions, and thrive in a fast-moving, highly integrated hardware - software environment.

• Architecture & Technical Leadership:
  Define system architecture, software design patterns, module interfaces, and long-term technical strategy. Provide technical leadership across embedded systems, autonomy, drivers, simulation, and application layers, and lead deep-dive investigations into software reliability, performance, and integration issues.
• Embedded Software Development:
  Design, implement, and integrate embedded software for Linux-based and real-time systems. Own high-impact subsystems from concept through flight testing. Perform hands-on debugging, hardware bring-up, and system validation across tightly coupled hardware-software interfaces.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with avionics, guidance, hardware, simulation, and test teams to align software efforts with broader system requirements. Represent the embedded software team in program reviews, technical discussions, and mission-planning activities.
• System Integration & Testing:
  Lead software integration across virtualized environments, hardware-in-the-loop, and full vehicle setups. Develop or guide the development of testing tools, automation workflows, and simulation models. Drive root-cause analysis for complex failures and implement system-level corrective actions.
• Project Ownership & Delivery:
  Own major technical initiatives that impact vehicle capability, autonomy, performance, or reliability. Coordinate resources, manage risks, and ensure on-time delivery of mission-critical software. Support integration and launch activities at test sites when necessary.
• Quality, Standards & Continuous Improvement:
  Elevate engineering standards by driving improvements to code quality, design review processes, documentation expectations, and testing rigor. Foster a culture of high ownership, rapid iteration, and continuous improvement across the software organization.

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or a related STEM field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in embedded software or real-time systems.
• Strong proficiency in C++, Rust, or similar systems programming languages.
• Experience developing software on Linux-based embedded platforms, including kernel-level work or custom driver development (UART, I2C, SPI, etc.).
• Experience leading technical projects, architecting complex systems, or serving as a team or technical lead.
• Strong debugging skills across hardware/software boundaries.

• Technical leadership experience at high-performance or mission-critical hardware-software organizations (defense, aerospace, robotics, automotive, etc.).
• Hands-on experience with real-time systems, microcontrollers (ARM, PowerPC, x86), and distributed embedded architectures.
• Strong Linux internals knowledge, including performance tuning, networking, and system-level diagnostics.
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and provide feedback, elevate engineering standards, and run design reviews.
• Experience aligning multidisciplinary teams and influencing system-wide decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly prototype, evaluate tradeoffs, and validate ideas using first-principles thinking.

Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers…