Principal Embedded Software Engineer (Safety Critical & Cybersecurity)

Job Description

It’s about the journey! Whether it’s a bus ride or flight, our electronic systems help transport millions of passengers every day. Every second a plane takes off somewhere in the world, enabled by our flight-critical products. On the ground, our electric and hybrid solutions save more than 22 million gallons of fuel per year. Be part of our journey at BAE Systems where you’ll be among the brightest minds, working on the industry’s most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we’re innovating for the future. And you can, too. At BAE Systems, we promote a strong, collaborative culture and provide our employees with the tools, skills and training they need to succeed. We are all about trust, camaraderie, and a shared mission on delivering world class products to our commercial and military customers. We offer a flexible hybrid work environment and 9/80 work schedule. Our company is part of the community and driven to improve our future and protect our freedom. BAE Systems’ Controls & Avionics Solutions (CAS) is seeking a talented Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our team developing high‑integrity software for advanced commercial and military platforms. In this role you will develop embedded software solutions for systems such as Fly‑By‑Wire Flight Controls, Engine Controls, Ground Vehicle Power Management Systems, Aircraft Electrification Systems, Advanced Air Mobility solutions, Flight Deck Systems, and Cabin Management Systems. As part of the development process, you will generate requirements, architectures, and implement design and code applying industry-standard safety and cybersecurity guidelines throughout the software lifecycle to ensure these products remain safe, resilient and appropriate for their operational environments. You will work in a hybrid, highly collaborative environment, working closely with Systems, Hardware, Test, and Operations teams throughout the entire Product Development Lifecycle. This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to emerging technology that truly makes an impact. Responsibilities: Contribute across all phases of the embedded software lifecycle: planning, requirements analysis, design, implementation, integration, and verification for complex, real‑time control systems. Design and implement embedded software using environments such as Green Hills, ARM Development Studio, and similar toolchains targeting processors ranging from PowerPC to multi-core ARM architectures. Translate customer and system requirements into efficient software designs, including the decomposition and integration of cybersecurity-related requirements when needed to support secure and resilient embedded products. Architect and implement embedded features that interface directly with hardware, including occasional development of cybersecurity-related capabilities such as secure board support package elements or risk‑mitigating controls identified through threat and vulnerability assessments. Integrate new functionality—software and security features alike—into existing code bases while maintaining system performance, safety, and compliance with established engineering standards, guidelines, and best practices. Apply and continuously refine established development processes to deliver high‑quality embedded software while minimizing design and product cost. Demonstrate leadership through mentoring, technical guidance, and presenting design concepts during team and customer technical interchange meetings.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years of embedded software development experience.
• Experience across the full software lifecycle: requirements, design, coding, integration, and testing.
• Hands‑on experience with RTOS environments such as Green Hills Integrity, VxWorks, LynxOS, or bare‑metal implementations.
• Experience developing device drivers and board support packages.
• Background integrating real‑time, safety‑critical electronic control systems involving embedded software, hardware, and programmable logic.
• Experience with secure development practices and integrating cybersecurity‑related capabilities such as secure boot, cryptographic accelerators, TEEs, TPMs, or HSMs.
• Understanding of cryptographic concepts (keys, certificates, hashing, symmetric/asymmetric algorithms) and secure communication protocols (TLS/DTLS, IPsec).
• Strong programming skills in C/C++, with familiarity in Python and assembly language.
• Solid technical writing skills and ability to produce required engineering documentation.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Master’s degree in a related engineering field.
• 8+ years of embedded development experience in avionics or electronic controls, including exposure to flight controls, engine controls, mission systems, or similar domains.
• Experience with system-level or product-level security processes such as RMF, DO‑326A, or ISO‑21434.
• Familiarity with industry cybersecurity resources (MITRE CVE, CWE, CAPEC, ATT&CK).
• Experience with multi‑core processing hardware and ARM-based architectures.
• Experience with safety-critical development standards including ARP4754, DO‑178B/C, DO‑254, ISO‑26262, or equivalents.
• Demonstrated technical leadership experience.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning, and organizational skills; motivated self‑starter capable of operating independently and within teams.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.


About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.