Senior Embedded Software Engineer – Defense Technology

Location: Goleta, California (Hybrid) | Salary: $130K–$140K DOE (Level III) / Up to $170K (Level IV)

ParkerBeth Search Partners is proud to partner with an industry-leading defense technology company recognized for innovation, precision, and reliability. Their West Coast R&D division is expanding its engineering team and seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and deliver next-generation embedded systems for advanced defense and vehicle technologies.

This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven organization with a culture centered on innovation, teamwork, and technical excellence.

What’s In It for You

• Base salary $130K–$140K DOE (up to $170K for Level IV candidates)

• Hybrid 9/80 schedule: onsite Tues–Thurs, remote Mon and alternating Fridays

• Comprehensive benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with 6% match, paid holidays, and generous PTO

• Fitness reimbursement, volunteer time off, and loan forgiveness eligibility

• Collaborative R&D environment with access to national innovation and manufacturing resources

• Opportunity to make a tangible impact on defense and vehicle technology systems

What You’ll Do

• Develop and maintain embedded software for vehicle and defense system applications

• Write code from scratch using C, C++, and C# (Java experience a plus)

• Participate in full lifecycle development—architecture, design, coding, testing, and deployment

• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, systems, and test engineers across multiple U.S. facilities

• Implement robust object-oriented design and perform code reviews for quality assurance

• Support system testing, integration, and validation in a hybrid lab/field setting

• Document software processes, test cases, and design standards following formal SDLC protocols

• Mentor less-experienced engineers and contribute to process improvement initiatives

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related discipline

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on embedded software engineering (8+ for Level IV)

• Proficiency in C, C++, and C#; experience with Linux and/or Windows development

• Demonstrated experience working on hardware that runs on software—vehicles, sensors, or controllers

• Strong understanding of object-oriented programming, data structures, and algorithms

• Experience using Git or similar version control systems

• U.S. Citizenship required; must be able to obtain or maintain a DoD security clearance

• Detail-oriented, organized, and collaborative; able to communicate clearly about technical processes

Culture & Team

The Goleta R&D team operates in a close-knit, collaborative environment of about 13 engineers, scaling to 25 as programs grow. You’ll partner closely with other national offices dedicated to R&D, innovation, and manufacturing, working within an agile framework that values autonomy, curiosity, and hands-on problem solving.

Our client fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning—encouraging engineers to push boundaries, share ideas, and deliver high-performance solutions that matter.

Interview Process

1. Initial review and screening call with ParkerBeth Search Partners

2. 30-minute technical call with client recruiter (light technical + logistics)

3. 90-minute virtual technical interview with engineering team

4. Final 90-minute panel interview (behavioral + technical deep dive)

5. Offer and pre-employment clearance process

ParkerBeth Search Partners brings over 20 years of recruitment expertise, specializing in connecting top technical and engineering talent with leading organizations in the AEC, manufacturing, and technology sectors. We are committed to integrity, partnership, and helping professionals find careers that matter.

ParkerBeth is an equal opportunity executive search and staffing firm. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and candidates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.