Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration
Integrate and deploy autonomy software on unmanned aircraft, prepare systems for flight, and troubleshoot hardware, software, and embedded integration issues during lab and field tests. The role requires a relevant degree or equivalent experience, C++ and Python proficiency, and at least two years of related experience.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems across onboard compute, sensors, and control interfaces.
- Own system build, configuration, validation, and flight readiness.
- Support live flight operations, including safety checks, system bring-up, and time-critical troubleshooting.
- Debug hardware/software integration issues across autonomy stacks and embedded systems.
- Capture flight data and perform post-test analysis to improve autonomous behaviors.
- Collaborate with autonomy, GNC, systems, and test teams.
- Develop tools and processes to improve integration timelines, flight-test reliability, and deployment efficiency.
- Support certification, airworthiness, compliance documentation, and system-level validation.
- Travel approximately 30–40% of the year to offices, customer sites, and flight-integration events.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field, or equivalent practical experience.
- At least 2 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree, or a master's/PhD with internship or equivalent practical experience.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python.
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems, Linux-based development, embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
- Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware frameworks such as ROS and DDS.
- Experience supporting flight demonstrations or live exercises.
- Experience with simulation tools such as AFSIM and NGTS.
- Strong troubleshooting, optimization, communication, and teamwork skills.
Nice to Have
- Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems or flight-test campaigns.
- Familiarity with autonomy stacks, flight-control systems, or GNC pipelines.
- Experience with sensor integration, electronics debugging, or avionics bring-up.
- Experience developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing.
- Experience interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews.
- Experience with UCI and OMS standards.
Skills
C++, Python, Rtos, Linux, Embedded Systems, Shell Scripting, System Diagnostics, Sensor Integration, Sensor Fusion, ROS, Dds, Afsim, Ngts, Gnc, Flight Control Systems
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