Software Engineer

Job Title: Software Engineer Job Description

This role focuses on developing advanced autonomous underwater vehicle systems within a small, highly technical software team. You will design and build software that interacts directly with robotics hardware and real-world systems, contributing to embedded firmware, robotics, autonomy, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and software for new robotics platforms. The position is fully onsite and offers the opportunity to align specific responsibilities with your background and interests. You will take ownership of complex technical problems, navigate evolving requirements, and make sound engineering decisions with limited guidance while continuously learning new technologies and codebases.

Responsibilities Design, develop, and maintain embedded software for autonomous underwater vehicle systems using C and C++.

Implement and refine software that interfaces directly with robotics hardware, including sensors, actuators, and control platforms.

Contribute to the development of autonomy systems that enable advanced robotic behaviors and mission execution.

Participate in the creation and enhancement of simulation environments to test and validate robotics software.

Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to ensure reliable integration between software and physical systems.

Work on embedded firmware and embedded systems that control and monitor robotics components and subsystems.

Operate within Linux-based development environments to build, test, and deploy software solutions.

Apply strong software architecture and design principles to create robust, maintainable, and scalable systems.

Take ownership of technical challenges, making thoughtful engineering decisions with minimal guidance.

Quickly learn new technologies, frameworks, and codebases to contribute effectively across different project areas.

Collaborate with a small, highly technical team to align responsibilities with your expertise and project needs.

Contribute to software efforts related to marine robotics, aerospace and defense applications, and other advanced robotics platforms as needed.

Essential Skills Strong software engineering background with proven ability to deliver reliable, high-quality code.

Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded development, including experience working close to hardware.

Ability to learn new technologies, tools, and codebases quickly and apply them effectively.

Experience operating in Linux-based development environments for software development and testing.

Strong software architecture and design skills, with a focus on building robust and maintainable systems.

Comfort working with minimal guidance and taking ownership of solutions to complex technical problems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience developing robotics software, including control, perception, or autonomy components.

Familiarity with ROS2 (Robot Operating System) for building modular robotics applications.

Rust programming experience for systems-level or performance-critical software.

background in embedded firmware development for microcontrollers and embedded platforms.

Exposure to autonomy systems that enable intelligent, automated behavior in robotic platforms.

Experience with marine robotics applications and underwater vehicle systems.

Software development experience in aerospace and defense environments.

Hands-on work with simulation environments for testing and validating robotics software.

Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to verify integrated hardware-software performance.

Work on embedded systems that control sensors, actuators, or complete robotics platforms.

Open to candidates from entry-level through experienced backgrounds, with technical aptitude and ability to learn quickly valued over specific years of experience.

Work Environment

The role is fully onsite within a small, highly technical software team focused on advanced autonomous underwater vehicle systems. You will work in Linux-based development environments and interact regularly with robotics hardware, embedded systems, and simulation and testing setups, including hardware-in-the-loop configurations. The environment emphasizes ownership, independent problem-solving, and collaboration, with responsibilities tailored to each engineer's skills and interests. The culture values technical excellence, continuous learning, and the ability to operate effectively with evolving requirements and limited guidance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Philadelphia, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Philadelphia,PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.