Mid Level Embedded Software Engineer with Security Clearance

Mid Level Embedded Software Engineer Onsite: Tampa, FL Clearance: Secret Job Description Our Client is expanding its encryption business and seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to help architect, implement, and certify high-assurance cryptographic systems used by the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO, and allied partners. This role goes beyond traditional embedded development.

You will work on security-critical software and firmware that must meet NSA High Assurance (HA) certification requirements, contributing directly to cryptographic information assurance architectures, certification artifacts, and fielded systems protecting real-world tactical and strategic networks. If you are motivated by deep technical challenges—secure embedded design, Rust adoption in constrained environments, and building systems that withstand formal certification scrutiny—this role offers rare and meaningful work. What You’ll Work On

• High-assurance cryptographic and key management systems supporting secure communications, remote rekey, and lifecycle management
• Embedded software and firmware operating within defined crypto, INFOSEC, and High Assurance boundaries
• Architecture and implementation of cryptographic information assurance (IA) software and systems
• Modernization of legacy C baselines and architecting Rust-based embedded solutions for security- and safety-critical environments
• Systems that undergo formal NSA High Assurance certification, from requirements through fielding and sustainment Role Responsibilities
• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software primarily in C and Rust for cryptographic and security-critical platforms
• Architect cryptographic information assurance software and systems, including definition of security boundaries, trusted services, and separation of crypto and non-crypto functions
• Perform trade studies and embedded architecture design, with emphasis on memory-safe designs and C-to-Rust transitions
• Actively support the NSA High Assurance certification process, including:
• Requirements decomposition and traceability
• Security architecture definition and documentation
• Development of certification artifacts and evidence
• Participation in technical reviews and certification milestones
• Develop and maintain formal engineering documentation:
• Software & Hardware Requirements (SHRS, IRS)
• Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Software/Hardware Design Descriptions (SHDD)
• Develop and execute unit testing, integration, and acceptance testing, including hardware-in-the-loop and security-relevant test cases
• Manage configuration control for software development items in certified baselines
• Collaborate closely with systems, hardware, security, and test engineers in a high-performance, mission-driven team
• Identify and implement process, tooling, and automation improvements to support secure development and certification efficiency
• Periodic travel (~5%) for customer interaction, test events, or off-site integration activities Required Qualifications
• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of embedded software development experience in C and/or Rust
• Experience with:
• Low-level embedded development and debugging
• ARM-based processors and SoC platforms
• Firmware and hardware/software integration
• Strong understanding of memory management, concurrency, and deterministic embedded behavior Preferred / Differentiating Experience
• 8+ years of embedded or firmware development experience
• Experience with Rust in constrained embedded environments (no-std, heapless, hardware abstraction layer (HAL))
• Direct experience with NSA High Assurance certification, RMF, or similar DoD security frameworks
• Familiarity with cryptographic system design, key management, and secure boot/trust architectures
• Experience with: * openOCD, gdb, JTAG/SWD debugging
• AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC (e.g., Xilinx ZCU102/104 Evaluation Kit or similar)
• Experience working in waterfall or agile development methodology-based projects
• Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to assess technical risk and security impact
• Clear communicator who thrives in collaborative, technically rigorous teams Why Our Client
• Work on fielded, certified cryptographic systems and research & development projects
• Direct exposure to and participation in NSA High Assurance certification
• Opportunity to influence system architecture, not just implementation
• Hands-on role in modernizing high-assurance systems with Rust
• Long-term programs, stable funding, and deeply technical challenges
• Backed by Ultra Intelligence & Communications, with the agility of a focused encryption business