Flight Software Engineer

Poseidonaero
Alameda, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with hands-on autonomous aircraft experience working in aviation technology, particularly those with a focus on real-time embedded systems and flight control algorithms.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with hands-on autonomous aircraft experience and a focus on real-time embedded systems
    — “hands-on experience working on autonomous aircraft, who thrives in dynamic environments”
  • Individuals with a background in developing and deploying GNC algorithms on autonomous platforms
    — “Proven track record of developing and deploying GNC algorithms on autonomous aircraft platforms”
  • Engineers familiar with ROS or similar middleware and sensor fusion techniques
    — “Experience with middleware like ROS (Robot Operating System) or similar frameworks for autonomous systems”

Things to consider

  • The role involves a high degree of integration with hardware components and real-world flight testing.
    — “Integrate software with onboard sensors, actuators, and avionics, enabling autonomous mission execution”
  • Candidates must be prepared to work on safety-critical systems with compliance requirements.
    — “Experience with safety-critical software development, validation, and compliance in aviation”

How to stand out

  • Highlight real-time embedded systems projects and GNC algorithm deployment in your resume and interviews.
    — “develop and maintain autonomous flight software, including guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms”
  • Emphasize your experience with flight simulation environments and HITL testing in your application materials.
    — “Test and validate software using simulation environments, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) setups”
  • Demonstrate your ability to debug and optimize flight software in both simulation and real-world scenarios.
    — “Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize flight software both in simulation and during field tests”
  • Showcase your work with sensor fusion, path planning, and adaptive control techniques in your portfolio or resume.
    — “Knowledge of sensor fusion, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and adaptive control techniques”
  • Demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively with aerospace and avionics teams.
    — “Collaborate with aerospace engineers, avionics engineers, and field testing teams”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Developed and maintained autonomous flight software
  • Implemented real-time decision-making systems
  • Integrated software with onboard sensors and actuators
  • Tested and validated software in simulation and real-world environments
Typical background
Experience in aerospace or autonomous systemsStrong background in software engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

C++PythonRustROSGNC AlgorithmsFlight SimulationHITL TestingReal-time Embedded SystemsSafety-critical Software Development

Preferred

Computer VisionSensor FusionPath PlanningObstacle AvoidanceAdaptive Control Techniques

Stack & domain

C++PythonRustROSGNC AlgorithmsFlight Simulation EnvironmentsHITL TestingComputer Vision FrameworksSensor FusionPath PlanningObstacle AvoidanceAdaptive Control TechniquesSafety-critical Software DevelopmentValidationComplianceProblem-solvingInnovationCollaborationTeamworkAviationAutonomous AircraftFlight Control Algorithms

About the role

Original posting from Poseidonaero via Ashby

ABOUT POSEIDON AEROSPACE:

Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft - capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.

As a Flight Software Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will develop and maintain autonomous flight software for our aircraft. You will work on systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient autonomous flight, including navigation, control algorithms, and real-time decision-making. We’re looking for someone with hands-on experience working on autonomous aircraft, who thrives in dynamic environments, and is passionate about pushing the boundaries of aviation technology.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and optimize autonomous flight software, including guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms specifically for autonomous aircraft.
  • Implement real-time decision-making systems for autonomous operations, managing dynamic flight conditions and environmental factors.
  • Integrate software with onboard sensors, actuators, and avionics, enabling autonomous mission execution and real-time adaptation.
  • Develop software for flight planning, collision avoidance, precision landing, and mission management.
  • Test and validate software using simulation environments, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) setups, and real-world flight testing.
  • Conduct rigorous code reviews and implement best practices to ensure software reliability and performance in autonomous aircraft systems.
  • Collaborate with aerospace engineers, avionics engineers, and field testing teams to ensure robust software integration and reliable flight operation.
  • Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize flight software both in simulation and during field tests.

Ideal Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience working on autonomous aircraft, including developing and implementing flight control algorithms.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Rust for real-time embedded systems.
  • Experience with middleware like ROS (Robot Operating System) or similar frameworks for autonomous systems.
  • Proven track record of developing and deploying GNC algorithms on autonomous aircraft platforms.
  • Experience with flight simulation environments, HITL testing, and real-world autonomous flight testing.
  • Experience with computer vision frameworks and integration into flight environments
  • Knowledge of sensor fusion, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and adaptive control techniques.
  • Experience with safety-critical software development, validation, and compliance in aviation.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to innovate when faced with real-world autonomous flight challenges.

WHAT YOU GET FROM US

  • Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
  • Relocation support if applicable
  • Employee Health Benefit Plans
  • 6% Retirement matching
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices
  • AI tools and subscriptions

Source: Poseidonaero careers (Ashby)

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