Riverside Research is seeking a Junior Software Engineer to support an Air Force research and development effort focused on advanced electro-optical and event-based sensing technologies. The successful candidate will work alongside engineers and researchers to develop, integrate, and demonstrate prototype sensor systems for Department of War applications.
In this role, you will develop and test C++ and Python software on embedded Linux platforms based on ARM processors and FPGAs. You will work directly with hardware testbeds, support real-time data processing and optical communications capabilities, and help transition research concepts into maintainable software used in laboratory and field demonstrations.
Responsibilities- Develop, test, and debug software applications in modern C++ and Python for embedded Linux systems.
- Support integration of software with FPGA-based processing components, hardware accelerators, and high-speed sensor interfaces such as AXI, DMA, and GPIO.
- Create and maintain unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test frameworks to verify system functionality and performance.
- Develop Python utilities for hardware control, calibration, test automation, and data analysis.
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to software build, deployment, and configuration management processes.
- Work with engineers across hardware and software disciplines to troubleshoot system integration issues.
- Support laboratory experiments, field demonstrations, and customer technical reviews.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
- 0-2 years of relevant experience, including internships, undergraduate research, capstone projects, or professional software development experience.
- Experience developing software in C/C++ and Python.
- Familiarity with Linux development environments and command-line tools.
- Experience using Git for version control.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with embedded ARM-based systems such as AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC, NVIDIA Jetson, or Raspberry Pi platforms.
- Exposure to FPGA development tools and workflows, including Vivado, Vitis, VHDL, Verilog, or High-Level Synthesis (HLS).
- Familiarity with CMake, automated testing frameworks, and software quality tools.
- Coursework or project experience related to computer vision, digital signal processing, optical communications, robotics, or sensor systems.
- Experience reading schematics, performing board bring-up activities, or debugging hardware interfaces using oscilloscopes or logic analyzers
- Current security clearance
Skills Required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field
- 0–2 years of relevant experience, including internships, undergraduate research, capstone projects, or professional software development experience
- Experience developing software in C/C++ and Python
- Familiarity with Linux development environments and command-line tools
- Experience using Git for version control
- Experience with embedded ARM-based systems such as Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC, NVIDIA Jetson, or Raspberry Pi
- Exposure to FPGA development tools and workflows, including Vivado, Vitis, VHDL, Verilog, or HLS
- Familiarity with CMake, automated testing frameworks, and software quality tools
- Coursework or project experience in computer vision, digital signal processing, optical communications, robotics, or sensor systems
- Experience reading schematics, performing board bring-up, or debugging hardware interfaces with oscilloscopes or logic analyzers
What We Do
Founded in 1967, Riverside Research is a not-for-profit organization chartered to advance scientific research for the benefit of the US government and in the public interest. Through our open innovation concept, we invest in multi-disciplinary research and development and encourage collaboration to accelerate innovation and advance science. Riverside Research conducts independent research in machine learning, trusted systems, optics and photonics, electromagnetics, plasma physics, radio frequency systems, and biomedical engineering. We move science from the laboratory to the field by building teams of recognized experts who deliver effective, high-value solutions and services to our customers. From public service to national security, we aspire to be a valued partner through our unwavering commitment to innovative and mission-focused solutions.
