Lead Embedded Software Engineer
Two Six Technologies
Arlington, VA · $166k–$235k a year · Posted November 3, 2026
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Where Arlington, VA ranks
Where Arlington, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for education pay after cost of living$124k · of 8
- #2Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Southeast89 / 100 · of 33
- #3Best cities for government pay after cost of living$140k · of 18
- #3Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Mid-Atlantic456 openings · of 68
- #4Best cities for aerospace and defense pay after cost of living$152k · of 19
- #4Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Southeast14% · of 87
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among software developers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for software developers: 29% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world’s most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what’s possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future.
Overview of Opportunity
Two Six Technologies is actively seeking a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to join our team in Arlington, Virginia. The team is composed of intelligent, driven individuals, passionate about vulnerability analysis and RF-enabled exploitation who are rapidly developing novel capabilities that enable real-world missions.
The team is growing and looking for someone with a practical software development background who has an understanding of how to transition cyber proofs-of-concept into operational, fieldable capabilities to support national security missions. Strong candidates will also possess experience with RF protocols and/or software-defined radio development.
What you will do
Provide thought leadership -- plan, design, and direct the execution of high-level software tasks for rapidly developing bespoke fieldable capabilities.
Lead the software team – direct multidisciplinary engineering teams through task management and technical oversight, delivering software for advanced RF platforms.
Rapidly transition research-grade, “proof-of-concept” software, and vulnerability analysis findings from the lab to real-world use.
Develop flexible, well-tested software modules which can be rapidly assembled into mission-customized solutions for immediate fielding.
Provide expert guidance to human and agentic team members across a variety of technical domains.
When needed, support real-world missions on-site in real time.
What you will need (basic qualifications)
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related Scientific Domain.
Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in Python as well as C/C++ or Rust.
Software architecture experience -- demonstrated track record of success in taking ideas “from whiteboard to fielded”, observing best practices and thorough testing throughout.
Experience with Linux, containerization, networking, administration tools.
Possess excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
A desire to adapt and learn new skills to meet the needs of the mission and your team.
Active Top Secret Clearance with the ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI, and ability to work on-site in Arlington, VA.
Nice to have (preferred)
Experience with RF and/or DSP (radio frequency and digital signal processing).
Experience with radio protocol reverse engineering, data science/intelligence analysis, distributed systems, cryptography, GPU programming, UI/UX development.
Experience with low-level hardware reverse engineering (can read schematics, tap communications buses, leverage JTAG for introspection on unfamiliar systems, etc.).
Proven track record of leveraging agentic engineering to deliver stable, well-designed, maintainable and well-documented solutions.
Master's or Graduate degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related Scientific Domain.
Security Clearance:
Active Top Secret Clearance willing to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
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Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.
The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.
Salary Range $165,909 — $234,952 USD
Looking for other great opportunities? Check out Two Six Technologies Opportunities for all our Company’s current openings!
Ready to make the first move towards growing your career? If so, check out the Two Six Technologies Candidate Journey ! This will give you step-by-step directions on applying, what to expect during the application process, information about our rich benefits and perks along with our most frequently asked questions. If you are undecided and would like to learn more about us and how we are contributing to essential missions, check out our Two Six Technologies News page! We share information about the tech world around us and how we are making an impact! Still have questions, no worries! You can reach us at Contact Two Six Technologies . We are happy to connect and cover the information needed to assist you in reaching your next career milestone.
Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information review the Two Six Technologies Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy and the EEO Poster .
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request reasonable workplace accommodation for any part of our employment process, please send an email to accommodations@twosixtech.com . Information provided will be kept confidential and used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
Additionally, please be advised that this business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices.
By submitting the following application, I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the information provided is true and accurate.