Senior Safety-Critical Software Engineer (R5788)
The Senior Safety-Critical Software Engineer at Confidential Client is responsible for designing, developing, and integrating real-time safety-critical Run-Time Assurance software components that ensure safe and reliable autonomous aircraft operations. This role involves C++ development, hardware integration, rigorous testing, and adherence to high-reliability standards to support advanced UAV platforms like the X-BAT. The engineer will collaborate across teams to deliver robust safety capabilities that enhance autonomous mission effectiveness in complex environments.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Defense and Space Manufacturing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client is seeking an experienced software engineer to design, develop, and integrate safety-critical Run-Time Assurance (RTA) software used on airborne and edge autonomy platforms. You will work on real-time C++ components, integrate with middleware and flight-control interfaces, and help move safety designs into production-ready, testable software.
- Develop, integrate, and test configurable Run-Time Assurance (RTA) components that monitor autonomy behavior and support safe operation across representative platforms and scenarios.
- Implement production-quality, performance-aware C++ at the boundary between autonomy, high‑assurance middleware, and flight-control systems.
- Integrate software with hardware for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and flight-test campaigns; support multi-aircraft collaborative scenarios.
- Create and maintain unit, component, and integration tests; support CI/CD and automated verification.
- Produce clear software designs, interface control documents (ICDs), test evidence, and traceability artifacts to strengthen engineering evidence for safety.
- Share safe-software engineering practices through code reviews, design discussions, and technical documentation.
What We’re Looking For (Required)
- Typically 5+ years relevant experience (or equivalent per advanced degree) in C++ development for real-time, embedded, robotics, or aerospace systems.
- Strong modern C++ skills, including testing, debugging, and performance-aware design.
- Experience building software for real-time, embedded, or constrained systems.
- Experience integrating software with hardware, simulation, or HIL environments and diagnosing reliability/performance issues.
- Comfortable working within an existing architecture and applying C++ design patterns.
- Strong Git and Linux development skills and familiarity with CI/CD and test-focused development.
- Ability to write clear technical documentation and collaborate across software, systems, test, and platform teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with autonomy middleware, interface definitions, and Python-based configuration tooling.
- Familiarity with CMake, Conan, or other build/package tooling and reusable C++ library integration.
- Experience with high-reliability/safety-critical development practices: static analysis, coding standards, traceability, requirements-based testing.
- Experience with strict C++ coding standards (e.g., MISRA C++, JSF AV C++) and airworthiness/software assurance frameworks (e.g., MIL-HDBK-516, DO-178C).
- Experience taking components through verification, qualification, or certification evidence review.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $160,000 - $250,000 per year.
- Offer package (full-time): base pay within range + bonus + benefits + equity.
- Temporary offer package: pay within range + temporary benefits (after eligibility period).
- Final offers are based on experience, skills, certifications, and work location. All offers contingent on background check and any required clearances.
Location & Hiring Details
- Location: San Diego, CA (on-site or as specified in the job posting).
- Employment type: Full-time.
- Candidate screening may include background and reference checks.
- Confidential Client and Careertakes are committed to reasonable accommodations; please request accommodations if needed during the hiring process.
Keywords & Search Terms (for applicants)
- Senior Safety-Critical Software Engineer
- C++ real-time embedded engineer
- Run-Time Assurance (RTA)
- Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing
- Aerospace / Defense software
- DO-178C / MISRA / safety-critical development
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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