Senior Staff Software Engineer - Embedded SME - SlingWorks

About the role

We are seeking an accomplished Embedded Software SME with expertise in Extended Reality (XR) and advanced visual systems to join our innovative Research & Development organization, developing the next generation of Warfighter-borne visual systems. In this role, you will drive the architecture, development, and integration of next-generation embedded software solutions supporting immersive visual technologies for mission-focused applications. You will work at the intersection of real-time embedded systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, and XR display technologies. This role is ideal for someone who likes hands-on work, excels in complex system environments, and is passionate about pushing the boundaries of human-machine interaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of embedded software for XR and visual system platforms, including AR/VR/MR display systems, sensor pipelines, and real-time rendering components.
• Serve as the technical authority for embedded architecture, device-level software, and low-level system integration across hardware, firmware, and application layers.
• Develop system requirements, interface definitions, and design documentation that ensure scalability, performance, and reliability in mission-critical environments.
• Integrate embedded XR software with optical systems, imaging sensors, inertial measurement units, tracking systems, and display hardware.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical, mechanical, optical, and systems engineering, to deliver cohesive and high-performance visual solutions.
• Drive technology maturation efforts, evaluate emerging technologies, and guide R&D investments in XR and advanced visual systems.
• Mentor engineering teams and contribute to best practices, development standards, and technical reviews.
• Support prototype buildouts, system demos, and field evaluations.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded software development for high-performance or real-time systems.
• Expertise with C/C++, embedded Linux/RTOS, and hardware-centric development workflows.
• Proven experience with XR technologies, including AR/VR/MR headsets, optical systems, camera pipelines, or visual-inertial tracking.
• Deep understanding of graphics pipelines, GPU/accelerator programming, or real-time rendering concepts.
• Strong systems-level thinking and ability to lead designs across multiple engineering disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, OpenXR, Vulkan, or similar XR/graphics frameworks.
• Knowledge of computer vision, sensor fusion, or real-time signal processing.
• Experience with aerospace, defense, or safety-critical system development.
• Familiarity with model-based design tools, simulation environments, or digital twin ecosystems.
• Experience with leading multidisciplinary teams or serving in technical leadership roles.
• Experience with three and six-degree-of-freedom extended reality systems.