Entry Level C Programming Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions, and they are seeking an Entry Level Software Engineer to focus on testing and developing embedded flight software. The role involves collaborating with an engineering team to write unit tests, perform system validation, and contribute to firmware projects in the UAS industry.
Responsibilities:
• Write, execute, and maintain unit tests for flight and embedded software primarily written in C, ensuring tests are directly tied to implementation details.
• Debug software at the code and logic level by reading, understanding, and reasoning through existing C code to identify, isolate, and clearly explain defects.
• Safely modify or extend existing code as needed, following documentation and established practices to maintain reliability and stability.
• Perform black-box system testing to validate inputs and outputs without relying on internal code access, focusing on system and acceptance-style verification.
• Design system-level tests based on documentation that defines what to test, determining appropriate methods to achieve thorough coverage.
• Develop and maintain test scripts in C or JavaScript to support automation, creating repeatable and maintainable test frameworks and procedures.
• Apply automated testing concepts and frameworks to improve test efficiency, consistency, and coverage across embedded and system-level software.
• Identify gaps in test coverage and propose additional tests or approaches to ensure comprehensive validation of system behavior and requirements.
• Reproduce issues consistently and document them clearly, providing detailed technical descriptions that support efficient troubleshooting and resolution.
• Validate software correctness without modifying production code, maintaining a rigorous focus on verification, coverage, and quality assurance.
• Use JavaScript and/or Python to build or enhance unit test tooling and system test automation, supporting continuous improvement of test infrastructure.
• Follow documentation-driven development and testing practices, contributing to and using technical documentation to guide test design and implementation.
• Apply strong attention to detail when reviewing requirements, documentation, and test results, ensuring accurate and reliable verification outcomes.
• Collaborate with engineering teammates in office, lab, and field environments to execute tests, share findings, and support product development activities.
• Communicate technical findings effectively through clear technical writing, including test plans, test reports, defect descriptions, and status updates.
• Demonstrate readiness to transition into flight code and product development over time, progressively working deeper within the codebase and firmware stack.
• Engage in continuous learning around embedded systems, firmware, and system testing techniques to support growth into advanced electronics design.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 0–1 years of experience in software development or testing, including internships, co-ops, capstone projects, or similar academic/industry experience.
• Solid C programming skills, including the ability to read, understand, and reason through existing C code in an embedded or low-level context.
• Demonstrated debugging skills to identify, isolate, and explain software defects at the code and logic level.
• Familiarity with software testing concepts, including either unit testing or black-box testing in a technical environment.
• Experience or coursework in embedded systems, firmware, or low-level software projects.
• Comfort working with documentation-driven development and testing, using specifications and requirements to guide test design.
• Strong attention to detail and a mindset oriented toward validation, coverage, and rigor rather than solely feature development.
• Technical writing skills to produce clear, concise, and accurate documentation, test reports, and defect descriptions.
• Eligibility to work on ITAR-controlled projects, including the ability to comply with all applicable regulations.
• Ability to discuss academic or project contributions in C programming in detail, demonstrating strong knowledge and ownership of work.
Preferred:
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline (EE/ECE/CE background is helpful but not strictly required).
• Experience with embedded C development for microcontrollers or similar platforms, including firmware or low-level software projects.
• Strongly preferred: JavaScript and/or Python experience, especially for building unit test tooling, scripting, and test automation.
• Exposure to system-style testing, including black-box testing and acceptance verification in C or JavaScript.
• Familiarity with aerospace or complex systems environments, particularly UAS or related advanced electronics applications.
• Experience or knowledge of C# scripting for test automation or tooling is a nice-to-have but not required.
• Understanding of basic web or GUI concepts that may support test interfaces or tooling.
• Knowledge of timers, clock distribution, and serial communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Familiarity with edge-triggered interrupts, ADCs, DACs, and servicing interrupts in embedded systems.
• Interest in growing into advanced electronics design and embedded software development for unmanned systems.
Company:
Actalent is an engineering and sciences service company. Founded in 1983, the company is headquartered in Hanover, USA, with a team of 5001-10000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.