Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Principal Embedded Software Engineer Job Description
The Principal Embedded Software Engineer designs, develops, and integrates embedded software for advanced vehicle control systems using C/C++ and MATLAB/Simulink. This senior-level engineer owns vehicle-level software design from requirements through integration and production, supports simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and vehicle testing, and provides technical leadership while interfacing with customers and suppliers.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and integrate embedded software for advanced vehicle control systems using C/C++ and MATLAB/Simulink.
- Own vehicle-level software architecture and design, ensuring alignment with system and customer requirements.
- Translate system-level requirements into robust, testable embedded software designs and implementation plans.
- Support and contribute to simulation activities, including HIL and virtual simulation, to validate software behavior and performance.
- Participate in and support vehicle-level testing to verify embedded software integration and system functionality.
- Lead the software integration process from development through verification, validation, and production deployment.
- Apply model-based development practices using MATLAB/Simulink and related tools to create and refine control algorithms.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, hardware, and test teams, to ensure cohesive system performance.
- Interface directly with customers and suppliers to clarify requirements, discuss technical solutions, and resolve integration issues.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to other engineers, guiding design decisions and best practices in embedded software development.
- Use version control and configuration management tools to maintain code integrity and support collaborative development.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, including DevOps and CI/CD practices where applicable.
- Participate in software verification and validation activities, including reviews, unit testing, integration testing, and documentation.
- Apply knowledge of vehicle systems, vehicle controls, and embedded systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient software behavior.
- Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis for software and system issues discovered during simulation, testing, or field use.
Essential Skills
- 5+ years of related embedded software development experience.
- Strong hands-on experience with C and C++ for embedded software development.
- Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and model-based development for control systems.
- Experience with vehicle-level system and software design for automotive, off-highway, defense vehicles, or vehicle controls applications.
- Background in vehicle systems and vehicle control technologies.
- Experience with embedded systems and/or real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Strong understanding of embedded software development practices, including design, implementation, integration, and testing.
- Experience with software integration, verification, and validation activities.
- Familiarity with IoT and edge computing concepts in embedded environments.
- Experience using Git or similar version control tools and configuration management practices.
- Ability to work independently in a senior-level role and take ownership of technical solutions.
- Ability to interface effectively with customers and suppliers on technical topics.
- Bachelors degree in engineering or a closely related technical field.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with AUTOSAR architectures and tools.
- Experience with Stateflow for state machine modeling.
- Experience with MATLAB autogenerated code workflows.
- Hands-on experience with HIL and virtual simulation environments.
- Exposure to DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines for embedded software.
- Experience with UML modeling for software and system design.
- Programming experience with Python.
- Experience with JavaScript, JSON, and SQL for data handling or tooling.
- Experience with IoT and edge computing solutions in vehicle or embedded contexts.
- Demonstrated technical leadership or mentoring experience within engineering teams.
- Strong skills in Git-based version control and configuration management.
- Ability to contribute to process improvement and best practices in embedded software development.
Work Environment
This role focuses on advanced vehicle control systems within an embedded software and systems engineering environment. You work with modern development tools such as C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, and Git, and may interact with AUTOSAR, UML modeling tools, HIL rigs, virtual simulation platforms, and CI/CD pipelines. The position involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams, as well as direct technical interaction with customers and suppliers. Work typically combines office-based design and development activities with laboratory or test facility work for simulation, HIL, and vehicle-level testing. The environment emphasizes technical ownership, independent problem-solving, and leadership, while supporting continuous learning and innovation in automotive, off-highway, defense vehicle, and vehicle controls applications.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $85.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.