Job Summary

Do you enjoy working close to the hardware and understanding how embedded systems actually operate? Are you curious about how firmware works under the hood and interested in building tools that help researchers analyze complex devices?

Battelle is currently seeking a Junior Embedded Systems Developer to support our Cyber research teams in our Columbus, OH or Chantilly, VA locations.
As a Junior Embedded Systems Developer, you will work alongside experienced vulnerability researchers, reverse engineers, and embedded developers who analyze embedded platforms across a wide range of architectures and operating systems. Your role will focus on developing tools, modifying firmware, and supporting research workflows that help our teams better understand embedded devices.

In this role you will gain hands-on experience interacting directly with hardware, debugging low-level code, and developing utilities that support reverse engineering and vulnerability research. You will use your embedded development skills to help enable and accelerate the work of researchers.
This role is well suited for someone who enjoys working at a low level, is curious about how systems operate beneath the surface, and wants to grow their skills in embedded development within a research-driven environment.

“From Silicon to Systems” – We are an elite, multi-disciplinary team bringing together the brightest minds from physics, computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics to develop unique embedded security solutions for government and industrial customers.
Battelle has been trusted by elite government clients to solve some of the world’s hardest security problems. We work in small agile teams to push the bounds of computing technology. Our high-powered labs include specialized software and hardware so our engineers have everything they need to invent new Cyber solutions.

We encourage new ideas with our large Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program where engineers work on projects they are passionate about. Inventors and innovators are rewarded by our industry-leading IP compensation program. Our group works collaboratively with many parts of Battelle’s larger organization on projects ranging from genomics to robotics.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing firmware, instrumentation, and internal tooling that supports reverse engineering and vulnerability research
• Help modify and build embedded software used for experimentation and analysis
• Work with researchers to develop scripts and utilities that improve analysis workflows
• Interact with embedded hardware platforms including microcontrollers and development boards
• Assist with debugging embedded software using tools such as gdb or hardware debuggers
• Support the development of automation tools and internal research utilities
• Collaborate with vulnerability researchers and reverse engineers to better understand embedded device behavior
• Document tools, workflows, and development processes

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field; or equivalent experience
• Experience programming in C or C++
• Familiarity with embedded systems or microcontrollers through coursework, projects, internships, or professional experience
• Basic understanding of debugging techniques and tools
• Experience scripting in Python or similar language
• Interest in low-level software development and embedded systems
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment while continuing to learn new technologies
• Strong curiosity about how systems work internally
• Must be a US Citizen with the ability and willingness to obtain a DoD Secret or higher clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with assembly language (ARM, MIPS, x86, or similar architectures)
• Experience working with development boards or embedded hardware
• Exposure to embedded Linux or RTOS environments
• Familiarity with debugging interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, JTAG, or SWD
• Exposure to reverse engineering tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, or BinaryNinja
• Participation in security research, CTFs, or hardware/firmware projects
• Internship or academic project experience related to embedded systems or firmware development

Some Of The Extras That Make Working Here Great

• Learn (tuition assistance, paid training) and teach (get published, speak at a conference)
• Software and Intellectual Property development royalty sharing
• Mentorship and learning culture
• Internally funded and guided research projects with large amounts of individual autonomy