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Embedded Rtos Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

Troubleshoot hardware/software integration problems across embedded and Linux platforms. * Document ... Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS). * Experience with hardware bring-up and board ...

Software Engineer

Frederick, MD · On-site

$131K - $177K/yr

Ideal Requirements: · Significant experience configuring Linux build systems such as Yocto, QSDK, or OpenWRT. · Experience with embedded real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, TI-RTOS (SYS ...

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Embedded Rtos information

See Ashburn, VA salary details

$71.6K

$156.9K

$177.9K

How much do embedded rtos jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded rtos in Ashburn, VA is $156,851.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,500.00 and $176,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an embedded RTOS?

An Embedded RTOS (Real-Time Operating System) is a specialized operating system designed to manage hardware resources and run applications with precise timing requirements in embedded systems. Unlike general-purpose operating systems, an RTOS ensures that tasks are executed predictably and meet strict deadlines, which is crucial in applications like automotive systems, medical devices, and industrial automation. Embedded RTOSs provide features like multitasking, task scheduling, and inter-task communication, all optimized for resource-constrained environments. They help developers create reliable, efficient, and responsive embedded applications.

What are some typical challenges faced when developing software for embedded RTOS environments?

Developing software for embedded RTOS (Real-Time Operating System) environments often involves unique challenges such as managing limited memory and processing resources, ensuring deterministic real-time performance, and debugging in resource-constrained systems. Team members frequently collaborate closely with hardware engineers to optimize code for specific microcontrollers or processors. Additionally, balancing task prioritization and inter-task communication to avoid deadlocks or priority inversion is a common focus. These complexities make strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail particularly valuable in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an embedded RTOS engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded RTOS Engineer, you need a strong background in embedded systems programming, real-time operating system (RTOS) concepts, and a relevant degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Keil, IAR Embedded Workbench, and experience with RTOS platforms such as FreeRTOS or VxWorks, along with certifications like Certified Embedded Systems Engineer, are highly valuable. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills that enhance performance in this role. These competencies are essential for designing reliable, efficient, and responsive embedded solutions that meet stringent real-time requirements.

What is the difference between Embedded Rtos vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectEmbedded RtosFirmware Engineer
CredentialsKnowledge of RTOS, embedded systems, C/C++Embedded systems, C/C++, hardware understanding
Work EnvironmentEmbedded systems development, real-time applicationsHardware interfacing, low-level programming
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, automotive, IoT devicesConsumer electronics, aerospace, medical devices

Embedded Rtos specialists focus on designing and implementing real-time operating systems for embedded devices, ensuring system responsiveness and multitasking. Firmware Engineers develop low-level software that directly interacts with hardware components, often working within embedded environments. While both roles require embedded systems knowledge, Embedded Rtos professionals specialize in real-time OS development, whereas Firmware Engineers focus on hardware-software integration and low-level programming.

Infographic showing various Embedded Rtos job openings in Ashburn, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $156,851 per year, or $75.4 per hour.

Software Engineer (Mid/Senior) - Embedded Systems & HITL

ZTI Solutions, LLC

Reston, VA • On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Position Description:
Software Engineer Mid / Senior — Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL).
Location: Reston, VA (on-site at customer facility; occasional Washington, DC). 

ZTI Solutions, LLC is hiring an embedded software engineer to support a U.S. Department of Defense program developing mission-critical embedded systems. The successful candidate will be embedded with a multidisciplinary team of software, hardware, and systems engineers responsible for the design, development, integration, and certification of low-level software running on bare metal targets and interfacing with custom and government-furnished hardware. This is a hands-on engineering role requiring strong fundamentals in embedded software, networking, and test automation, as well as the ability to operate effectively in a regulated, security-conscious environment. 
Job Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop low-level bare metal infrastructure (boot, startup, board support packages, drivers, and runtime services) for embedded compute platforms.
  • Design, implement, and optimize networking protocols and stacks (e.g., Ethernet, TCP/IP/UDP, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, CAN, SpaceWire, or program-specific protocols) at the firmware/driver level.
  • Profile, debug, and tune performance, memory utilization, and real-time behavior on resource-constrained targets.
  • Produce design artifacts (interface control documents, software design descriptions, and design review materials) consistent with program and DoD documentation standards.
  • Develop and maintain automated test suites suitable for product qualification, acceptance, and certification activities.
  • Design, build, and operate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) test environments, including stimulus generation, instrumentation, and data capture.
  • Author and execute test procedures aligned to applicable standards (e.g., DO-178C, MIL-STD-498/882, or program-specific verification plans) and support independent verification and validation (IV&V) activities.
  • Triage failures, perform root-cause analysis, and drive defects to closure within the program's configuration management and issue-tracking processes.
  • Integrate developed software with the core system baseline and with associated hardware components, ensuring interface compliance and end-to-end functionality.
  • Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, systems, and cybersecurity engineers to resolve cross-discipline integration issues.
  • Support laboratory bring-up, system integration test (SIT), formal qualification test (FQT), and field/flight test events as required.
  • Participate in peer code reviews, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings (TIMs) with internal and government stakeholders.
  • Keep up to date on the newest embedded, real-time, and cybersecurity innovations in the field and apply relevant innovations to mission systems.

Qualifications:
Typical Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; career experience, knowledge, and industry certifications will be considered in lieu of degrees.
  • 5 years or more of professional software engineering experience, with a substantial portion in embedded, bare metal, or real-time environments.
  • Proficiency in C and/or C++ for embedded targets; working knowledge of assembly for at least one common architecture (ARM, PowerPC, x86, or RISC-V).
  • 3 years of demonstrated experience implementing or extending low-level drivers, board support packages (BSPs), or networking protocol stacks.
  • 3 years of hands-on experience developing automated tests and operating HITL or equivalent benchtop test environments.
  • Familiarity with version control (Git), build systems (Make/CMake/Bazel), and continuous integration pipelines.
  • Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance at time of hire; U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Experience with safety- or mission-critical certification efforts (e.g., DO-178C, ARP4754A, MIL-STD-882, NIST SP 800-53/171, RMF).
  • Experience with RTOS environments (VxWorks, Integrity, LynxOS, FreeRTOS, Zephyr) and/or Linux kernel/driver development.
  • Experience with test frameworks such as Google Test, pytest, LabVIEW, NI TestStand, or program-specific test harnesses.
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements for embedded systems and supply-chain risk management (SCRM).
  • Knowledge of professional software engineering best practices for the full software development lifecycle; including coding standards, peer code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, monitoring, and operations.
  • Experience integrating software with custom and government-furnished hardware in a security-conscious environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in delivering software using agile/scrum methodologies in a DoD program environment.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills; able to resolve integration issues and support hardware/software interface debugging independently.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with both functional and technical counterparts, including the ability to communicate with users, other technical teams, and senior management to collect requirements, describe technical designs, and convey product strategy.
  • Demonstrated ability to partner with and mentor junior software engineers in embedded, test, and integration disciplines.
  • Experience with configuration management, automated testing, and Test/Behavior Driven Development (T/BDD); Unit, Regression, and Integration Testing.
  • Familiarity with object-oriented design and with functional programming methodology.
  • Applicable industry technical/leadership certifications: Security+, AWS/Azure cloud practitioner certifications, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), or others.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and challenging integrated-team environment at a DoD customer site, with up to 25% CONUS/OCONUS travel to government, customer, and test facilities.
  • Active U.S. DoD Secret clearance.

Benefits:
  • 3-4 Weeks Paid Time Off.
  • All Federal Holiday's Paid Vacation.
  • Four Percent Matching 401K.
  • Full health/vision/dental benefits for the employee and family paid 100% by ZTI Solutions, LLC.