Golang Software Engineer

Job Title: Mid-Senior Golang Software Engineer (Platform Engineering)Job Description We are seeking a mid-Senior level Golang Software Engineer to join a platform engineering team on a contract basis. This team builds the connected control platform at the core of a pool automation ecosystem, orchestrating pumps, heaters, lights, valves, and salt chlorine generators through modern Go-based middleware and gRPC services. You will work directly across several core codebases, including a device orchestration middleware, shared gRPC/protobuf API contracts, an embedded middleware application that runs on controller hardware, and a protocol-bridging service that connects legacy clients to a newer API. The primary objective is to evolve a heterogeneous hardware control platform into a clean, well-tested, and well-documented service architecture while collaborating closely with a small, Senior engineering team. Responsibilities Contribute to and enhance existing Go (Golang) codebases, working efficiently in large, multi-package projects.Design, implement, and maintain device orchestration middleware that coordinates pumps, heaters, lights, valves, and salt chlorine generators within a pool automation ecosystem.Extend, version, and maintain shared gRPC and Protocol Buffers API contracts, ensuring robust schema design and smooth evolution of services.Develop and support an embedded middleware application running on controller hardware in Linux or embedded Linux environments.Build and refine a protocol-bridging service that connects legacy clients to modern APIs, ensuring backward compatibility and reliable communication.Reason carefully about protocol and API design, focusing on performance, reliability, and clarity in service interactions.Implement and maintain serial and network communication layers using RS485, TCP/IP, or similar embedded I/O transport abstractions.Write comprehensive unit, integration, and conformance tests to validate functionality across middleware, embedded components, and APIs.Configure and use GitHub Actions or similar CI/CD pipelines to automate builds, tests, and deployments for the platform.Collaborate closely with a small, Senior engineering team, communicating clearly about design decisions, trade-offs, and implementation details.Contribute to improving documentation and overall service architecture, helping transition the platform toward a clean, well-structured, and well-tested system.Participate in troubleshooting and debugging issues across hardware, firmware, and software layers, ensuring stable operation of the automation ecosystem. Essential Skills 3+ years of production experience with Go (Golang) in large, multi-package codebases.Hands-on expertise with Go concurrency patterns, including goroutines, channels, and context cancellation.Practical, hands-on experience with gRPC and Protocol Buffers, including schema design, versioning, and code generation using tools such as Buf or protoc.Ability to extend and version shared API contracts in a distributed service environment.Direct experience with hardware and serial communication protocols such as RS485, TCP/IP, or similar embedded I/O transport abstractions.Comfort working in Linux and embedded Linux environments, including Docker-based build systems.Strong testing discipline, with solid experience writing unit, integration, and conformance tests.Proficiency with GitHub and GitHub Actions or similar CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment.Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a small, Senior engineering team. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with WebSocket protocols or legacy-to-modern API protocol bridging.Background in IoT device management, home automation, or connected hardware products.Familiarity with embedded RF and serial standards such as 802.15.4 or Bluetooth.Exposure to workflow orchestration or event-driven architectures.Understanding of firmware and bootloader concepts for embedded Linux devices.Knowledge of over-the-air (OTA) update strategies for embedded Linux systems. Work Environment You will work in a highly technical platform engineering environment focused on connected hardware and pool automation. The team operates primarily with Go-based middleware, gRPC and Protocol Buffers, RS485 and TCP/IP communication, and embedded Linux systems, supported by Docker-based build pipelines and GitHub Actions for CI/CD. Collaboration occurs within a small, Senior engineering group that values clear communication, careful protocol and API design, and strong testing practices. The role centers on evolving a complex hardware control platform into a modern, well-documented service architecture, with regular interaction across middleware, embedded applications, and protocol-bridging services. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Raleigh, NC. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Raleigh,NC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.