Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Melbourne, FL

This fully onsite Embedded Software Engineer II role is an opportunity to join a growing engineering team developing advanced electro-optical, infrared, imaging, display, and sensor-based systems for mission-critical military applications. You will design, develop, integrate, test, and maintain embedded software solutions running on modern System-on-Chip (SoC) architectures, including AMD/Xilinx platforms, in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. The position offers hands-on involvement across the full product lifecycle and the chance to work with cutting-edge defense technologies using modern embedded software development methodologies.

• Design, develop, integrate, test, and maintain embedded software applications for embedded and real-time systems.
• Develop software solutions for AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ and other SoC-based embedded platforms.
• Design and implement software running in Bare Metal, FreeRTOS, and Embedded Linux environments.
• Develop and debug low-level device drivers and hardware interfaces.
• Support hardware and software integration activities during board bring-up and system development.
• Collaborate closely with FPGA, hardware, systems, and verification engineers throughout the product lifecycle.
• Perform software debugging, root cause analysis, and issue resolution on target hardware.
• Develop and maintain communication interfaces and networking functionality, including low-level protocols.
• Participate in software design reviews, code reviews, and preparation of technical documentation.
• Execute unit testing, integration testing, and system-level verification activities.
• Utilize modern software development processes and tools to ensure high-quality software deliverables.
• Support imaging, video processing, camera, display, and sensor-based systems as needed.
• Assist with board bring-up and hardware validation using appropriate laboratory equipment.

• 2–4 years of professional embedded software development experience.
• Strong programming skills in C and Embedded C++.
• Experience developing software in one or more of the following environments: FreeRTOS, Embedded Linux (such as Ubuntu), and Bare Metal systems.
• Experience with AMD/Xilinx SoC platforms; experience with Zynq UltraScale+ devices is highly desirable.
• Experience with hardware and software integration and debugging on embedded targets.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting low-level communication interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, RS-232, and Ethernet.
• Understanding of TCP/IP networking fundamentals.
• Experience working with source control and development tools, including GitLab and Jira.
• Experience with AMD Vitis development environment or similar embedded toolchains.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative engineering team environment.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience with AMD Vitis development environment for SoC and FPGA-based designs.
• Experience developing software for imaging, video processing, camera systems, or display technologies.
• Experience supporting infrared (IR), sensor processing, or vision-based systems.
• Experience with Ethernet stack implementation, including lwIP and TCP/IP networking.
• Experience with board bring-up and hardware validation activities.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based systems and hardware acceleration architectures.
• Experience using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
• Active Secret security clearance or higher.
• Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, or other mission-critical applications.

This role is fully onsite in Melbourne, FL, within a collaborative engineering environment focused on mission-critical defense technologies. You will work closely with hardware, FPGA, systems, and test engineers and will regularly interact with AMD/Xilinx SoC platforms, Embedded Linux, FreeRTOS, Bare Metal environments, and tools such as GitLab, Jira, and AMD Vitis. The position follows a 9/80 flexible work schedule, providing an adjusted workweek while maintaining full-time hours. Work is performed in a lab and office setting, where you will use standard development workstations and laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.

This is a Permanent position based out of Melbourne, FL.

The pay range for this position is $105000.00 - $115000.00/yr.

"Full-time onsite role supporting advanced EO/IR and military imaging systems with a 9/80 schedule, strong healthcare benefits, 401(k) match, parental leave, tuition assistance, and long-term career growth within a stable defense organization

This is a fully onsite position in Melbourne,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

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