Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5423)
The Senior Software Engineer for Autonomous Pilot Integration at Confidential Client is responsible for integrating and deploying autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring mission readiness through system build, configuration, and validation. This role involves hands-on flight test support, hardware/software debugging, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to deliver reliable autonomous systems in defense environments, with significant travel to test sites.
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, Airlines and Aviation.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
- Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring reliable operation across onboard compute, sensors, and control interfaces.
- Own build, configuration, and validation workflows to deliver flight‑ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and mission readiness.
- Support lab and on-site flight test events: system bring-up, safety checks, mission support, and time‑critical troubleshooting.
- Diagnose and resolve hardware/software integration problems across embedded systems and autonomy stacks.
- Capture, manage, and analyze flight test data; collaborate with autonomy and GNC teams to refine behaviors and performance.
- Build tools and processes to shorten integration cycles and increase flight test reliability.
- Contribute to documentation and system validation activities required for certification, airworthiness, and compliance in defense-relevant environments.
- Travel to test sites, customer locations, and integration events (typically ~30–40% annually).
Minimum Qualifications
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Minimum ~2 years related experience with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent professional experience).
- Proficiency in C++ and Python; comfortable working with real‑time operating systems (RTOS).
- Strong Linux development experience, embedded systems familiarity, and shell scripting/system diagnostics skills.
- Experience with sensor integration, sensor fusion concepts, and middleware frameworks (ROS, DDS) is required.
- Prior hands‑on support of flight demos, live exercises, or similar field test campaigns.
- Experience with simulation/testing tools (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) is a plus.
- Strong problem‑solving, communication, and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary environments.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. SECRET security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct flight test or unmanned aerial systems integration experience.
- Familiarity with autonomy stacks, flight control systems, or GNC pipelines.
- Electronics debugging, avionics bring‑up, and sensor/electronics integration competence.
- Experience developing automation tooling for testing, logging, and data parsing.
- Comfortable interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews.
- Experience with UCI and OMS standards.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $195,840 - $293,760 per year (listed by the client).
- Full-time offer package: pay within range listed + bonus + benefits + equity.
- Temporary/contract packages: pay within listed range + temporary benefits (where applicable).
- Salary offers consider experience, skills, certifications, and specific work location. All offers contingent on background check and required clearance.
- Confidential Client is committed to equitable pay practices and will discuss benefits and total compensation during the hiring process.
Location & Travel
- Location: California, US (on-site and field test participation required).
- Travel: typically ~30–40% for flight tests, site integration, and customer events.
- Candidates must be able to travel to test sites and customer locations as needed.
Employment Type & Clearance
- Employment type: Full-time.
- Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. SECRET clearance required.
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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