Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts
Software Systems Engineer jobs in Massachusetts are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense and aerospace, biomedical devices, robotics, and enterprise software, with openings at every level from junior engineers to principal and staff engineers. The strongest hiring hubs are Greater Boston, the Route 128 corridor, and Cambridge, where anchors like Raytheon Technologies, The MITRE Corporation, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory sustain consistent demand. The most sought-after specialties are embedded systems, systems architecture, and real-time control software. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Software Systems Engineer jobs
Overview:
Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.
Job Description Summary:
Draper is seeking a software engineer for development of embedded real-time avionics systems. The engineer will develop high performance embedded solutions for resource constrained targets. These will include next-generation resilient and fault tolerant software solutions in the application domains of undersea, terrestrial, air, hypersonic systems and space. The engineer will be involved in the full software development life cycle from the design and requirements stage all the way to testing and deployment in the field.Job Description:
- Independently execute task assignments.
- Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques, adheres to software best practices.
- Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
- Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
- Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
- Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
- Drives solutions to complex problems, actively participate in requirements development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
- Contributes to system architecture decisions and leads the architecture of sub-systems.
- Provides insight and suggest adaptations or modifications to processes and/or applications based on quantitative data or results.
- Identifies project technical risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies.
- Actively mentors less experienced staff and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback.
- Lead a small team of software developers on projects.
Skills/Abilities
- Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Demonstrate an ability to learn new programming languages and technologies quickly.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
- A team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.
Education
Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or other related field. Master's degree is preferred.
Experience
5-10 years experience in Software Engineering or related field.
Additional Job Description:
Candidate must have experience in embedded software development with
- RISC-V and Ultrascale+ (Arm) processors or other low power microcontrollers (e.g. PowerPC, TMS320),
- Real-time operating systems (RTOSs), such as VxWorks, Integrity, embedded Linux, Zephyr and FreeRTOS,
- C/C++ and assembly programming languages
- Excellent development and troubleshooting skills on embedded targets
- Excellent knowledge of OS coding techniques, interfaces, hardware subsystems and driver development
- Development experience with device drivers, board support package, boot code and knowledge of embedded system busses and protocols (e.g. CAN, I2C, SPI, Serial, SpaceWire, 1553)
- Expertise in development tools (e.g. GCC, LLVM), static analysis tools, dynamic analysis, and QEMU based development are preferred
- Knowledge and experience with software configuration management tools, defect tracking tools, and peer review processes.
- Experience with in-circuit emulators, JTAG debuggers, and laboratory test equipment.
- Experience with safety-critical systems and compliance with industry standards, such as DO-178C is highly desirable.
- Experience with developing formal requirements, design and test documentation and supporting formal reviews
- Prior development of RTOSs is desirable.
Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.
Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.
Job Location - City:
CambridgeJob Location - State:
MassachusettsJob Location - Postal Code:
02139-3563The US base salary range for this full-time position is
$82,300.00 - $220,000.00Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.
Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.
Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.
Overview:
Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.
Job Description Summary:
Draper is seeking a software engineer for development of embedded real-time avionics systems. The engineer will develop high performance embedded solutions for resource constrained targets. These will include next-generation resilient and fault tolerant software solutions in the application domains of undersea, terrestrial, air, hypersonic systems and space. The engineer will be involved in the full software development life cycle from the design and requirements stage all the way to testing and deployment in the field.Job Description:
- Independently execute task assignments.
- Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques, adheres to software best practices.
- Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
- Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
- Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
- Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
- Drives solutions to complex problems, actively participate in requirements development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
- Contributes to system architecture decisions and leads the architecture of sub-systems.
- Provides insight and suggest adaptations or modifications to processes and/or applications based on quantitative data or results.
- Identifies project technical risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies.
- Actively mentors less experienced staff and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback.
- Lead a small team of software developers on projects.
Skills/Abilities
- Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Demonstrate an ability to learn new programming languages and technologies quickly.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
- A team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.
Education
Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or other related field. Master's degree is preferred.
Experience
5-10 years experience in Software Engineering or related field.
Additional Job Description:
Candidate must have experience in embedded software development with
- RISC-V and Ultrascale+ (Arm) processors or other low power microcontrollers (e.g. PowerPC, TMS320),
- Real-time operating systems (RTOSs), such as VxWorks, Integrity, embedded Linux, Zephyr and FreeRTOS,
- C/C++ and assembly programming languages
- Excellent development and troubleshooting skills on embedded targets
- Excellent knowledge of OS coding techniques, interfaces, hardware subsystems and driver development
- Development experience with device drivers, board support package, boot code and knowledge of embedded system busses and protocols (e.g. CAN, I2C, SPI, Serial, SpaceWire, 1553)
- Expertise in development tools (e.g. GCC, LLVM), static analysis tools, dynamic analysis, and QEMU based development are preferred
- Knowledge and experience with software configuration management tools, defect tracking tools, and peer review processes.
- Experience with in-circuit emulators, JTAG debuggers, and laboratory test equipment.
- Experience with safety-critical systems and compliance with industry standards, such as DO-178C is highly desirable.
- Experience with developing formal requirements, design and test documentation and supporting formal reviews
- Prior development of RTOSs is desirable.
Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.
Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.
Job Location - City:
CambridgeJob Location - State:
MassachusettsJob Location - Postal Code:
02139-3563The US base salary range for this full-time position is
$82,300.00 - $220,000.00Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.
Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.
Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.
See All 21 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSoftware Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Massachusetts
Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Systems Engineer Job Market in Massachusetts
A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
What Massachusetts Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software systems engineer jobs across Massachusetts.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering required
- Hands-on experience with systems architecture, integration, and verification and validation
- Proficiency in at least one programming language such as C, C++, or Python
- Familiarity with model-based systems engineering tools like MATLAB or Cameo Systems Modeler
- Experience applying systems engineering standards such as IEEE or INCOSE frameworks
- Active or eligible U.S. security clearance for defense-sector roles in Massachusetts
Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software systems engineer in Massachusetts?
Most software systems engineer roles in Massachusetts require a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field. Massachusetts does not issue a state license specific to software systems engineers, but many defense and aerospace employers along the Route 128 and Greater Boston corridors require candidates to be eligible for a federal security clearance. Professional certifications such as the INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional credential are recognized and valued by large Massachusetts employers.
How much do software systems engineers make in Massachusetts?
Software systems engineers in Massachusetts earn a median of about $165,210 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $102,810 for the lowest 10% to over $213,970 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software systems engineers in Massachusetts?
Employers hiring software systems engineers in Massachusetts right now include Whoop, Anduril, and Raytheon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Massachusetts's dense concentration of defense primes, biomedical device makers, and robotics firms means consistent, year-round demand for systems engineers with both hardware and software integration experience.
Which Massachusetts cities have the most software systems engineer jobs?
Boston, Quincy, and Cambridge have the most software systems engineer openings in Massachusetts. Greater Boston and Cambridge drive demand through their dense clusters of biotech, robotics, and enterprise software companies, while suburban Route 128 corridor cities like Burlington and Woburn anchor defense and aerospace hiring, with major systems contractors drawing engineers from across the region.
Are there remote software systems engineer jobs in Massachusetts?
Yes, but they're less common than in pure software development roles. About 50% of software systems engineer openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that much of the work involves hardware integration, lab testing, and cleared facilities that require on-site presence. The portions of the role most amenable to remote work are requirements analysis, modeling, and documentation.
How can I get hired as a software systems engineer in Massachusetts with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or associate systems engineer program at a large Massachusetts defense or aerospace employer. Companies like Raytheon Technologies, MITRE, and Draper Laboratory run structured rotational and early-career programs that develop engineers without direct industry experience. A degree in electrical or computer engineering paired with capstone project work, co-op experience through a Massachusetts university, or a security-clearance eligibility makes candidates competitive for these entry-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Massachusetts?
You can find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current Massachusetts openings updated regularly. Find the roles that match your experience and specialization and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 21 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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