Remote Lead Embedded Software Engineer Jobs
Remote lead embedded software engineer jobs are in active demand across the U.S., with remote-first firms and distributed hardware and software teams hiring for senior technical leadership. Industries including aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial IoT are among those posting remote openings, and employers hiring right now include Quest Defense, Canonical USA, and Forterra. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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We're looking for engineers who believe innovation can turn the impossible into reality and are driven to design, develop, and test solutions that make a real impact. Join a diverse team tackling cutting-edge challenges, where what you build today helps shape a brighter future for tomorrow.
Quest Defense Systems and Solutions is actively hiring Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, and test Flight Management System (FMS) software for military helicopters and aircraft. This role combines C/C++, Ada, Python, and software lifecycle development to deliver reliable avionics software in collaboration with systems and software engineering teams.
Location: Remote
Citizenship: Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.
Clearance: Preference to have the ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance if needed
In this Role, you will:
- Work within a team of Systems and Software engineers to design, develop, and test software features for flight management systems that are integrated into military helicopters and planes
- Master your knowledge of Software Engineering and Flight Management Systems
- Integrate soft skills (leadership, communication, coordination, proactiveness) into a dynamic environment that provides quality and timely products to internal and external customers.
- Travel (domestic and international <10%) as needed.
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience.
- 4+ years of experience with C, C++, DOORS, ADA, and/or Python.
- 4+ years of experience in a Software role.
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Industry Experience of Software Lifecycle Development (Design, Requirements, Integration, Test)
- Pilot/Avionics Experience (i.e. Private Pilot, Aircraft Maintenance, DO-178 Certification)
- Ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance if needed after day 1
The QDSS Advantage:
At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You'll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.
What You'll Find Here
- Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
- Growth That's Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
- A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.
Benefits Include
- Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.
At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions, we don't just build technology — we engineer the future. From next-generation aerospace solutions to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high-quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we're not just leading the industry — we're revolutionizing it.
Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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Find JobsRemote Lead Embedded Software Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in remote lead embedded software engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
- 7 or more years of embedded software development experience in a professional setting
- Proficiency in C and C++ for resource-constrained embedded targets
- Hands-on experience with RTOS platforms such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or QNX
- Experience with communication protocols including CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, and Ethernet
- Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team of embedded software engineers
Tips for Your Remote Lead Embedded Software Engineer Job Search
Show your async communication in writing
Remote embedded teams rely on written handoffs and documentation far more than office teams do. Include links to technical write-ups, design decision records, or hardware bring-up notes in your application materials so hiring managers can judge your communication before the first call.
Apply early to remote roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists remote lead embedded software engineer openings from across the U.S. in one place, so you can find roles matched to your stack and apply directly without sorting through listings that are on-site or unrelated.
Highlight cross-timezone team leadership experience
Remote lead roles require coordinating firmware reviews, debugging sessions, and integration milestones without real-time overlap. Call out in your resume or cover letter any experience leading engineers in different time zones, using tools like Jira, Confluence, or GitHub for asynchronous technical coordination.
Build a public embedded portfolio before applying
Publish at least one complete project on GitHub that includes firmware source, schematics, a build guide, and a brief write-up of design tradeoffs. Remote hiring managers can verify your depth independently, which carries more weight than a resume line for a lead-level role.
Remote Lead Embedded Software Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a remote lead embedded software engineer job?
Target companies that already run distributed engineering teams, since they have the infrastructure and culture to support a remote lead without an in-office presence. Remote employers screen heavily for async written communication, the ability to unblock a team without real-time check-ins, and deep hands-on skills in C, C++, RTOS, and hardware-software integration. A portfolio showing shipped firmware, open-source embedded projects, or clear technical documentation gives you a concrete edge over candidates with equivalent experience but no visible work.
Which companies hire remote lead embedded software engineers?
Remote lead embedded software engineer roles are posted by Quest Defense, Canonical USA, and Forterra and others right now, based on current remote listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These employers tend to be remote-first technology firms, distributed aerospace and defense contractors, and consumer electronics companies with engineering teams spread across multiple time zones.
Can you get a remote lead embedded software engineer job with no experience?
Yes, but remote lead roles are harder to land without experience because you must drive technical decisions and unblock teammates without in-person support. The most accessible remote entry paths are contract embedded roles at small hardware startups and open-source firmware projects where your contributions are publicly reviewable. Demonstrating a completed embedded project, a documented hardware bring-up, or consistent community contributions can substitute for a traditional resume when experience is thin.
Do you need a degree for remote lead embedded software engineer jobs?
Not always. Remote employers in embedded systems weigh demonstrated hardware-software expertise, shipped products, and proficiency in low-level languages far more heavily than a diploma for lead-level candidates. A strong GitHub history, evidence of leading a firmware project from schematic to production, or certifications in relevant platforms can open doors that a degree alone would not.
Which industries hire the most remote lead embedded software engineers?
Remote lead embedded software engineer roles concentrate in Technology & Software, based on current remote listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Those sectors hire remotely because their engineering teams are distributed across geographies and time zones, making a strong async communicator in an embedded lead role as productive as a co-located one.
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