Defense Software Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Position Description: At ForwardEdge ASIC we specialize in best-in-class ASIC technology, 100% domestically traceable microelectronic solutions designed for performance in commercial, aerospace, defense, and security sectors. FEASIC operates a full-scale ASIC design shop with cross-disciplinary fluency between digital logic, analog/mixed-signal design, and physical layout, and sits at the intersection of advanced ASIC, FPGA, and microelectronics design. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, we combine the agility of a startup with the stability and scale of a Fortune 100 leader. We operate in a nimble, fast-paced environment of 80+ highly experienced and specialized engineers with over 25 years of ASIC/FPGA experience and more than 300 patents. Position SummaryWe are looking for a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to guide the design, development, and delivery of embedded software systems while remaining hands-on with coding and project execution. This role combines technical leadership, software architecture, implementation, mentoring, and planning responsibilities.Responsibilities:• Lead the design, development, integration, and testing of embedded software for products and systems.• Provide technical direction for embedded software architecture, design decisions, coding standards, and implementation approach.• Actively contribute to software development, including writing, reviewing, debugging, and maintaining code.• Partner with product, hardware, systems, QA, and project management teams to define scope, priorities, schedules, and technical milestones.• Break down project goals into executable software tasks, estimates, risks, and delivery plans.• Mentor embedded software engineers through design reviews, code reviews, debugging support, and technical guidance.• Drive best practices for firmware development, version control, documentation, testing, CI/CD, and release readiness.• Support board bring-up, hardware/software integration, driver development, RTOS or bare-metal development, and system-level troubleshooting.• Identify technical risks early and propose practical mitigation plans.• Ensure software deliverables meet performance, reliability, safety, security, and maintainability requirements.Qualifications:• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.• Strong experience developing embedded software in C and/or C++.• Experience leading technical work for embedded software projects or small engineering teams.• Experience writing Linux PCie and NVMe device drivers.• Strong understanding of microcontrollers, microprocessors, peripherals, buses, interrupts, memory constraints, and real-time behavior.• Experience with RTOS, bare-metal development, device drivers, bootloaders, communication protocols, or hardware abstraction layers.• Ability to debug embedded systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD debuggers, and similar tools.• Experience with software planning, estimation, task breakdown, and cross-functional project coordination.• Strong code review, design review, and technical documentation skills.• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical tradeoffs clearly.• US CitizenshipPreferred Qualifications:• Experience with safety-critical, medical, automotive, aerospace, industrial, IoT, or regulated embedded systems.• Familiarity with cybersecurity, secure boot, firmware updates, or encrypted communications.• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, unit testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or automated embedded test frameworks.• Knowledge of Agile, Scrum, or hybrid project planning methods.What We Offer• Work-Life Balance: Flexible 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off• Competitive Comp & Benefits: Healthcare and medical coverage options, 401(k) retirement benefits with company contribution, generous holidays and PTO• Incentives: Eligibility for short-term and long-term incentive programsJoin ForwardEdge ASIC and be part of a team that thrives on innovation and excellence in ASIC design. Together, we build the technology that enables a safer, more resilient world. $150,000.00 - $180,000.00 Annually