Embedded Software Engineer V/VI

Overview

In this role, you will take on a senior technical leadership position developing embedded software for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). You will be responsible for architecting, writing, and testing critical real-time software that directly interfaces with microcontrollers, sensors, autopilots, and payloads in demanding flight environments. Your work will bridge the gap between low-level firmware and complex flight controls, ensuring high standards of software quality and reliability across mission-critical aerospace platforms. You will also play an instrumental role in guiding engineering strategy, leading project planning, and collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams spanning mechanical and electrical engineering. Beyond your hands-on development and hardware debugging duties, you will serve as a mentor to junior engineers, driving engineering best practices, configuration control, and technical excellence across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Design, code, and implement real-time embedded software for microcontrollers and systems deployed on unmanned aircraft.
• Integrate and test software with onboard hardware components, including sensors, autopilots, payloads, and communication radios.
• Diagnose and resolve low-level software and hardware issues using diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters.
• Lead technical project planning and establish software requirements for new development initiatives and flight programs.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering disciplines to deliver unified flight solutions.
• Participate in rigorous peer reviews and enforce robust configuration control standards to maintain safety-critical software quality.
• Mentor junior and mid-level software engineers to foster technical development and team capabilities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 12 years of experience developing embedded real-time software for avionics, automotive, or other safety-critical environments.
• Expert-level programming capability in C and C++ within real-time embedded systems.
• Extensive experience working with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks or FreeRTOS.
• Proven proficiency in hardware communication protocols including CAN bus, SPI, MIL-STD-1553, and RS-485 serial interfaces.
• Demonstrated ability to read electrical hardware schematics and use laboratory test equipment for board-level debugging.

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience with flight control systems, GPS, IMU, and related navigational constructs.
• Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink for algorithm design and model-based software development.
• Demonstrated background in leading technical projects and mentoring high-performing engineering teams in the defense or UAS industry.

Work environment

• Full-time, on-site role based out of the engineering facility in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
• Standard 40-hour work week operating within the America/Chicago timezone.
• Fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment involving tight coordination between software, electrical, and flight test teams.
• Hands-on development setting requiring direct interaction with physical hardware, flight hardware test benches, and live UAS testing environments.

Benefits & growth

• Base salary range between $175,000 and $210,000 per year depending on experience and seniority level.
• Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision insurance alongside company-paid life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan featuring an employer match program.
• Generous paid time off policy offering 4 weeks of annual PTO in addition to 12 paid company holidays.
• Opportunities for technical leadership advancement and continuous professional growth within a rapidly expanding aerospace contractor.