Embedded Software Engineer
Actalent · Littleton, CO
$65–$95/hrfrom the description
Jul 16, 2026
Littleton, CO
Jul 21, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A contract role centered on writing, testing, and validating C++ flight software for space-based sensor payload systems within a secure facility. Day-to-day work involves running digital simulations, debugging issues in RTOS environments such as VxWorks, and producing documentation to meet flight qualification standards. Suited to embedded software engineers with at least five years of flight-critical development experience.
Senior level · 5+ years · Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO · Bachelor's required · Contract
Posted 2 times — it's one opening, so apply once.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Roughly 50 people in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO area plausibly meet what this posting asks for (software developers). range 15–70
Applicant volume Moderate — A normal amount of company. The rare requirements below are what will separate a shortlisted application from the rest.
Rare in this occupation — lead with these, and say what you built with them.
What the occupation pays Median $140,636 (middle half $126,359–$175,118). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (7)
The posting lists three possible work locations (Sunnyvale CA, Denver CO, Huntsville AL) but explicitly states the contract position is based in Littleton, CO (Denver metro); that location is used here.
The work environment section notes the role supports classified work in a SCIF, but the JD does not gate on holding or obtaining a specific clearance level — it is listed as context and under 'Additional Skills' as mere familiarity. Clearance is therefore not flagged as required.
Flight software development and digital simulation are treated as hard gates because they appear in the 'Essential Skills' section with firm language ('Demonstrated experience', 'Proven expertise').
'Missile or other highly mission-critical systems' and 'classified/sensitive project' familiarity appear under 'Additional Skills & Qualifications' and are treated as preferred.
The degree requirement (Bachelor's in CS, CE, EE, or related field) is stated in the Essential Skills section with no 'or equivalent experience' escape clause, so it is treated as a hard requirement.
Ignored 1 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): Flight software development.
Posting is for a contract engagement — the market benchmarks below price full-time roles, so read the comp comparison with that in mind.
Read the full posting
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