Shift5 is redefining the future of onboard operational technology (OT). As a fast-growing scale-up, we specialize in cutting-edge cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for OT systems across defense, aerospace, and rail. We are a team of passionate, innovative professionals who thrive in a collaborative environment, driven by a shared mission to revolutionize how fleets operate. By unlocking and democratizing the vast potential of onboard OT data, we help our customers’ fleets run smarter, safer, and more efficiently. Ready to be part of the next frontier in transportation and critical infrastructure? Come join us.
Our Values:
- Mission First Mindset: We exist to protect the service members who defend our nation and secure the critical systems that keep our economy moving.
- Relentless Innovation: We are motivated by the challenge of solving the toughest problems facing transportation and defense industries.
- Data Driven Decisions: We make decisions rooted in data. Giving our team and stakeholders a more informed perspective possible when lives and missions are on the line.
Shift5 is seeking a full-time Embedded Software Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will drive the design, development, and implementation of real-time, high-performance embedded software systems deployed on custom Linux-based hardware platforms. You will be instrumental in building robust software solutions, enabling advanced data analytics at the edge, and collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams to ensure resilient and reliable software releases in mission-critical environments.
If you're passionate about developing complex systems, optimizing software performance, and thrive in a collaborative environment with endless opportunities to take ownership and expand your skills, Shift5 might be the right fit for you.
In this role you will be expected to:
- Develop, optimize, and maintain real-time embedded software for custom Linux-based hardware platforms
- Design and implement low-level hardware interface layers: memory-mapped register access, DMA transfer, and efficient hardware/software communication protocols
- Write and maintain Linux kernel drivers and userspace APIs for custom hardware, ensuring robust integration and performance
- Profile, analyze, and tune embedded software for low-latency, high-throughput, high-reliability data acquisition and processing
- Investigate hardware, firmware, and software issues and understand the interactions between each layer
- Write comprehensive unit, functional, and integration tests
- Document designs, data flows, hardware and software interfaces
- Lead and participate in rigorous code review and hardware/software interface specification processes
- Support bring-up and troubleshooting of new hardware platforms, including board-level debugging with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
- Collaborate closely with hardware, FPGA, and data analytics teams to define requirements and deliver end-to-end solutions
Required:
- BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- 3+ years of experience in embedded systems / low-level software development
- Experience with systems programming languages: C, C++, or Rust (preferred)
- Experience with scripting languages: Python, Bash, etc.
- Experience with tooling to build custom embedded Linux distributions: Yocto, Buildroot
- Experience with Git or similar version control, and CI/CD automation
- Experience with low-level software and firmware debugging tools: GDB, JTAG
- Experience with Linux kernel driver development is a plus
- Experience with RTL design and simulation (preferably VHDL) is a plus
- Experience with FPGA IDEs (Libero, Vivado, Quartus, or similar) and TCL is a plus
- Familiarity with oscilloscopes and FPGA internal logic analyzers is a plus
- Familiarity with CAN, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, and other serial protocols is a plus
- Familiarity with DSP techniques and real-time implementation is a plus
Compensation & Benefits:
- Base Salary: $120,000-$180,000
- Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
- Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
- Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Uncapped paid time off policy
- Flexible work & remote work policy
- Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)
We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.
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Top Skills
What We Do
Former military officers who stood up U.S. Army Cyber Command and pioneered modern weapons system cyber assessments founded Shift5 to transform untapped operational technology into actionable insights that enable peak performance and cyber resilience for America’s defense and transportation systems.
Built for the field and tested in the most demanding environments, Shift5's Operational Intelligence platform equips operations, maintenance, and cybersecurity teams with the infrastructure and analytics to detect threats, anticipate failures, and respond with confidence. Today, military customers and leading transportation companies rely on Shift5 for the safety, security, and reliability of current fleets and next-generation assets.
Why Work With Us
Shift5 is building a smarter, safer and more secure world by supporting the defenders and decision-makers on the front lines of national security. Founded by veterans and members of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, Shift5 is a mission-driven organization and a workplace that enables employee flexibility, empowerment and responsibility.
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