Fairwinds Technologies · 10 hours ago
Embedded Systems Software Engineer (Hybrid- Aberdeen, Maryland)
United States
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$130K/yr - $165K/yr
8+ years expFairwinds Technologies is a U.S.-based engineering firm specializing in Satellite Communications and RF Transmission Systems. They are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop and deploy software on Xilinx UltraScale+ platforms, focusing on low-level and Linux-based embedded software for mission-critical applications.
InfrastructureManufacturingWireless
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Develop embedded Linux software for Xilinx UltraScale+ (Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC) platforms using PetaLinux (BSP creation, kernel configuration, rootfs customization, and image generation)
Support hardware bring-up and integration on custom PCB designs, including board validation, peripheral checkout, and troubleshooting
Implement and maintain device drivers and board support components (GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, Ethernet, DMA, etc.)
Integrate FPGA logic with embedded software using AXI interfaces and Linux user-space access methods (UIO, mmap, sysfs, etc.)
Build and optimize performance-critical embedded Linux applications (real-time data movement, streaming interfaces, latency tuning)
Develop test utilities, diagnostics, and automation for lab and field validation
Participate in system integration and testing in lab and field settings; debug cross-domain issues spanning hardware, FPGA, kernel, and user space
Author technical documentation, software design descriptions, integration notes, and SBIR deliverables as required
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Minimum 8+ years of experience in embedded software development for Linux-based systems
Must have hands-on experience with Xilinx UltraScale+ platforms
Must have hands-on experience with PetaLinux (creating/customizing images, kernel/device tree configuration, rootfs management)
Must have experience working with PCB-based embedded hardware (bring-up support, debug with lab tools, working directly with schematics/board constraints)
Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting (Bash and/or Python) in embedded environments
Proficiency in SVN, Git or other software configuration management tool
Experience debugging Linux kernel/user-space interactions and hardware/software integration issues
Comfortable using standard embedded debug tools (JTAG, UART console, logic analyzer/oscilloscope basics) and Linux tooling (gdb, strace, perf, dmesg)
U.S. Citizenship and an active DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance (or ability to obtain)
Preferred
Experience with Xilinx toolchain workflows (Vivado integration context, Vitis/SDK familiarity helpful)
Device tree and kernel driver development experience (platform drivers, char drivers, DMA, interrupt handling)
Familiarity with real-time Linux concepts (PREEMPT_RT, CPU isolation, IRQ affinity, latency profiling)
Experience integrating high-throughput datapaths (10GbE, PCIe, JESD-style streaming, RF front-end control planes)
Understanding of secure boot, image signing, and hardening on embedded Linux platforms
Experience with Yocto or Buildroot for generating Linux kernel and root filesystems
Experience with RTOS/Bare metal programming of ARM Cortex microcontrollers
Experience supporting DoD SBIR projects or similar government-funded R&D efforts
Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package.
Company
Fairwinds Technologies
Fairwinds Technologies is a defense and space manufacturing company that offers engineering, field service, and interactive training.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
J
Jim Sprungle
Chief Executive Officer
Jennifer Sprungle
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
The Virginian-Pilot
2025-12-27
Washington Technology
2025-09-12
2025-07-08
Company data provided by crunchbase