Software ​/ Embedded Systems Engineer

Description

Leidos’ Undersea Systems Division is seeking a Software / Embedded Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA to join a fast‑paced R&D engineering group. The role is a unique opportunity to drive innovation in underwater vehicle systems, maritime sensors, subsea telemetry, and ISR solutions that support critical defense and national security missions at Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific (NIWC PAC). Leidos’ USD is a recognized leader in C4

ISR technologies, delivering mission‑critical solutions across sensor networks, unmanned systems, and tactical platforms. Join us and be part of a world‑class team delivering unmatched solutions for today’s most pressing maritime missions.

This position requires a Secret Clearance and a 9/80B work schedule (80 hours of work in nine days over a two‑week period, giving every other Friday off) onsite at NIWC to align with the government team.

The individual will work with a small team of engineers and technicians to develop, test, and deliver uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) based on system requirements. Development includes software for UUV operations and sensor integration.

• Firmware development
• Designing, coding, and debugging system software in C/C++
• Writing device drivers and implementing communication protocols like SPI, I2C, and UART
• Hardware integration
• Collaborating with teams to select components (microcontrollers, sensors) and ensuring firmware operates on the physical board
• System optimization – analyzing and enhancing the efficiency, stability, and scalability of system resources
• Dev Ops & validation – managing project documents using automation tools and implementing regression tests
• Documentation – maintaining code comments, design specifications, and test reports throughout the project’s progression

• Design & architecture – creating detailed schematics and blueprints for computer systems, PCBs, and processors
• Prototyping – building physical models of new hardware to prove concepts, including hands‑on soldering tasks
• Testing & validation – using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters to verify that the physical hardware meets performance and safety specifications
• Manufacturing oversight – supervising assembly and coordinating with third‑party PCB/PCBA fabricators
• System maintenance – modifying existing hardware designs to improve performance or ensure compatibility with new software updates

Testing involves working onboard small boats and ships on the ocean, launching and recovering systems at sea, and post‑test analysis of data. Results are provided in official reports or briefing material. Most development and testing will be conducted in San Diego; engineers may also travel in support of testing and operations in the U.S. and abroad, and may spend multiple days at sea aboard ships.

In addition to primary duties, the individual will be encouraged to develop expertise on one or more UUV platforms and may be asked to operate the system at sea during test and evaluation.

• U.S. citizenship; existing security clearance highly desired;
  Active SECRET (or higher) clearance required.
• Bachelor of Science (plus 4 years of relevant experience) or Master of Science (plus 2 years of relevant experience) in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering.
• Flexible and responsive to customer needs.
• Frequent movement around piers, docks, and facility spaces.
• Transport or lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Constant use of hands/fingers to operate machinery, tools, or computer equipment.
• Ability to move about the warehouse, stoop, kneel, or reach for extended periods.
• Ability to climb ladders up to 20 feet.
• Work in various temperatures and inclement weather.

• Embedded systems: electronic hardware implementation/testing and software programming
• Basic Linux operation
• Embedded Linux board bring‑up, bootloaders (U‑boot), and build systems (Yocto)
• Embedded Linux driver development
• Embedded RTOS experience (FreeRTOS)
• Programming language fluency – C/C++ Python
• GIT workflow
• Digital signal processing
• Field‑programmable gate arrays
• Microcontrollers
• Real‑time programming
• Robot…