Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer Jobs in Tucson, AZ

Location: Tucson, AZ (On-site)

As an Embedded Software Engineer, you'll develop embedded software that powers advanced avionics and autonomous aerospace systems. You'll play a critical role in delivering reliable, high-performance software for mission-critical applications while collaborating across hardware, systems, and autonomy engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.

GuideTech is a subsidiary of Palladyne AI (NASDAQ: PDYN), a U.S.-based defense and industrial technology company that delivers embodied AI-powered collaborative autonomy solutions, advanced avionics, precision-manufactured components, UAVs, and advanced aerospace design services.

At GuideTech, you'll contribute to technologies that support a diverse range of aerospace and defense platforms, including unmanned aircraft, launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, and other autonomous systems. Our engineers work across the full development lifecycle from embedded software development and hardware bring-up to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, system integration, and testing which provides the opportunity to see your work running on production hardware and supporting real-world missions.

You'll thrive in this role if you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, working close to the hardware, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to build reliable, high-performance systems. You're naturally curious, take ownership of your work, and are motivated by developing technology that performs in demanding real-world environments.

What You'll Do

• Develop embedded software and firmware in C/C++ for real-time aerospace and defense applications.
• Write efficient, reliable code that runs directly on embedded processors and microcontrollers.
• Develop software that interfaces with sensors, actuators, communication buses, and other hardware peripherals.
• Optimize software for performance, memory utilization, and real-time responsiveness.
• Support hardware bring-up, integration, debugging, and system testing.
• Debug and validate software using simulators, debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, systems, and autonomy engineers throughout the development lifecycle.
• Contribute to technical documentation, design reviews, and continuous improvement of software quality.

What Makes Someone Successful Here

• You communicate effectively through technical discussions, documentation, and collaboration.
• You embrace new challenges, evolving priorities, and opportunities to learn.
• You work well within multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams.
• You approach problems with curiosity, creativity, and sound engineering judgment.
• You take ownership of your work and are accountable for delivering high-quality results.
• You build strong working relationships based on trust, respect, and open communication.
• You are motivated by solving meaningful engineering challenges that support critical missions.

• C/C++ required.
• Embedded applications strongly preferred.
• Experience with Zynq/ARM platforms and the AMD/Xilinx development environment (Vivado, Vitis) strongly preferred.
• Experience with UART, I2C, SDLC, CAN, and SPI interfaces preferred.
• Experience with Python, C#, and Linux shell scripting preferred.
• Experience using test equipment, including oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, preferred.
• VHDL desired.
• Soldering experience (cables/harnessing, surface-mount components) desired.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Professional development opportunities

Work Authorization & Clearance

This position requires the ability to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship. Depending on the nature of the work, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required. Candidates may be asked to provide additional information relevant to clearance eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Fine Print

No 3rd party candidates will be accepted. It is Palladyne AI’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, local law.