Job Title: Golang Software Engineer (Mid-Expert Platform Engineering)
Job Description
This contract role offers an opportunity for a mid-expert level Golang Software Engineer to join a platform engineering team responsible for the connected control platform at the core of a pool automation ecosystem. You will help orchestrate pumps, heaters, lights, valves, and salt chlorine generators through a modern Go-based middleware and gRPC services. The position focuses on evolving a heterogeneous hardware control platform into a clean, well-tested, and well-documented service architecture while collaborating closely with a small, experienced engineering team.
Responsibilities
Develop, maintain, and enhance Go (Golang) services within large, multi-package codebases that power the pool automation control platform.
Work directly across multiple core codebases, including a device orchestration middleware, shared gRPC/protobuf API contracts, an embedded middleware application running on controller hardware, and a protocol-bridging service connecting legacy clients to a newer API.
Design, extend, and version shared gRPC and Protocol Buffers API contracts, ensuring compatibility, clarity, and long-term maintainability.
Implement and refine protocol-bridging solutions that translate legacy interfaces into modern APIs, ensuring reliable communication between old and new systems.
Collaborate with hardware and embedded teams to integrate serial/RS485, TCP/IP, and other embedded I/O transport abstractions into the platform.
Work within embedded Linux environments and Docker-based build systems to build, deploy, and troubleshoot platform components.
Write robust unit, integration, and conformance tests to ensure reliability, performance, and correctness of services and protocols.
Leverage GitHub and CI/CD pipelines (such as GitHub Actions) to automate builds, tests, and deployments, maintaining a high standard of code quality.
Reason carefully about protocol and API design, including schema evolution, versioning strategies, and backward compatibility.
Collaborate closely with a small, experienced engineering team, communicating clearly about technical decisions, trade-offs, and implementation details.
Contribute to improving documentation, coding standards, and best practices for the service architecture and platform components.
Participate in troubleshooting and debugging efforts across the stack, including middleware, embedded applications, and protocol-bridging services.
Essential Skills
3+ years of production experience with Go (Golang) in large, multi-package codebases, including hands-on use of goroutines, channels, and @context cancellation.
Practical, hands-on experience with gRPC and Protocol Buffers, including schema design, versioning, and code generation using tools such as Buf or protoc.
Direct experience with hardware and serial communication protocols, such as serial/RS485 and TCP/IP, or similar embedded I/O transport abstractions.
Comfort working in Linux and embedded Linux environments, including experience with Docker-based build systems.
Strong testing discipline with proven experience writing unit, integration, and conformance tests.
Proficiency with GitHub and CI/CD pipelines, such as GitHub Actions or similar tools, to support automated build, test, and deployment workflows.
Ability to move quickly and confidently within existing Go codebases while maintaining code quality and reliability.
Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a small, experienced engineering team.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with WebSocket protocols or legacy-to-modern API protocol bridging.
IoT device management, home automation, or connected hardware products.
Familiarity with embedded RF and serial standards such as 802.15.4, Bluetooth, or similar technologies.
Exposure to workflow orchestration or event-driven architecture patterns.
Understanding of firmware and bootloader concepts, including over-the-air (OTA) update strategies for embedded Linux devices.
Work Environment
You will work as part of a focused platform engineering team that operates a modern Go-based middleware and gRPC ecosystem for pool automation control. The environment centers on embedded Linux systems, Docker-based build pipelines, and GitHub-driven workflows with CI/CD automation. You will collaborate closely with experienced engineers in a setting that values clear communication, careful API and protocol design, and strong testing practices. The role involves working with hardware-adjacent technologies such as serial/RS485, TCP/IP, and embedded I/O, providing exposure to connected devices and automation systems
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Apex, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Apex, NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Apex,NC.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
