Guidance Software Engineer

CHAOS Industries
El Segundo, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior aerospace software engineers with embedded systems experience who can work on-site in Los Angeles and lead guidance software design on a clean sheet airframe.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years of embedded software development and UAS guidance algorithm experience
    — “10+ years of experience in professional, object-oriented software development”
  • Individuals who have worked on real-time embedded systems and microcontroller architectures
    — “Solid understanding and extensive experience in software development on microcontroller architectures”
  • Engineers who can lead software design projects and contribute across product families
    — “You will get an opportunity to lead the design of our guidance software on a clean sheet airframe design”

Things to consider

  • U.S. Person status is mandatory due to access to U.S.-only data systems
    — “U.S. Person status is required as this position will require the ability to access U.S.-only data system”
  • The role requires full-time on-site presence in Los Angeles (Hawthorne)
    — “Work full-time on-site in our office in Los Angeles (Hawthorne), California”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with ArduPilot and real-time embedded software in your resume and interview responses
    — “Experience with design and implementation of guidance algorithms for UAS platforms using commercial autopilot frameworks like ArduPilot”
  • Demonstrate your ability to work independently and on small teams during interviews
    — “Ability to work with minimal supervision and collaborate on small teams”
  • Emphasize your background in flight dynamics for fixed and rotary wing platforms
    — “Practical understanding of flight dynamics of fixed wing and rotary wing platforms”
  • Showcase familiarity with Linux on Nvidia Jetson or similar architectures
    — “Solid understanding and extensive experience in software development on microcontroller architectures (STM32 or similar) and on Linux hosted on Nvidia Jetson, AMD/Xilinx SoC or Microblaze architectures”
  • Demonstrate hands-on experience with Agile processes and CI/CD pipelines
    — “Experience with Agile lifecycle processes including Scrum, Continuous Integration, and Test-Driven Development Methodologies”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • guidance software implementation
  • airframe design support
  • system integration
  • flight hardware software support
  • collaboration on small teams
Typical background
professional software developmentembedded systems

Skills & requirements

Required

Object-oriented Software DevelopmentGuidance Algorithms DesignFlight Dynamics UnderstandingMicrocontroller ArchitecturesLinux On Nvidia JetsonReal-time Embedded SoftwareVendor Low-level Drivers IntegrationAgile Lifecycle ProcessesScrumContinuous IntegrationTest-driven Development

Preferred

Dod Security ClearancePart 107 Remote Pilot CertificationEo/ir Sensor IntegrationRadar Sensor IntegrationFirmware Development Using VHDLEmbedded Software Development Flow On Amd/xilinx FpgasGitDevOpsDevSecOpsContinuous Integration/continuous Delivery (ci/cd)

Stack & domain

COTSArdupilotStm32Nvidia JetsonAmd/xilinx SocMicroblazeReal-time Embedded SoftwareVendor Provided Low-level DriversFirmware DevelopmentVHDLFpgasGitDevOpsDevSecOpsCI/CDFoss/cotsFull Lifecycle SW DevelopmentHw/sw I&TV&VUASAutopilotFlight DynamicsMicrocontrollerLinuxAmd/xilinx

About the role

Original posting from CHAOS Industries via Greenhouse

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats. 

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

Role Overview:

CHAOS is seeking a highly-skilled and motivated Senior Guidance Software Engineer to join our R&D team. You will get an opportunity to lead the design of our guidance software on a clean sheet airframe design. As a member of Engineering, you also have the opportunity to expand your skillset across our product families. 

Responsibilities:

Implementation of guidance and navigation software within COTS software frameworks

Support airframe design activities

Support system integration of software on flight hardware

Work full-time on-site in our office in Los Angeles (Hawthorne), California

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum education: Bachelor’s or higher Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related degree

10+ years of experience in professional, object-oriented software development

Experience with design and implementation of guidance algorithms for UAS platforms using commercial autopilot frameworks like ArduPilot

Practical understanding of flight dynamics of fixed wing and rotary wing platforms

Solid understanding and extensive experience in software development on microcontroller architectures (STM32 or similar) and on Linux hosted on Nvidia Jetson, AMD/Xilinx SoC or Microblaze architectures

Experience developing real-time embedded software to include hardware interfaces

Experience with integration of vendor provided low-level drivers and firmware

Experience with Agile lifecycle processes including Scrum, Continuous Integration, and Test-Driven Development Methodologies

Ability to work with minimal supervision and collaborate on small teams

U.S. Person status is required as this position will require the ability to access U.S.-only data system

Preferred Requirements: 

Current or previous DoD security clearance 

Part 107 remote pilot certification

Experience with EO/IR sensor integration

Experience with radar sensor integration

Experience with firmware development using VHDL and embedded software development flow on AMD/Xilinx FPGAs

Experience with git

Experience with production-level SW development & deployment, including DevOps, DevSecOps, and/or Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) using modern FOSS/COTS toolsets

Experience with full lifecycle SW development of high-TRL systems

Experience with HW/SW I&T and V&V of high-TRL systems

Why CHAOS?

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company

Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more

Our Perks: Free daily lunch while you're working onsite, fully-stocked kitchen, unlimited PTO, casual dress code

Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses

Team Growth: 500+ employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $160,000 - $280,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. 

Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

#LI-onsite

Source: CHAOS Industries careers (Greenhouse)

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