Software Developer, Software Engineer, Python

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-consequence environments. The company combines advanced autonomy, manufacturing capability, operational expertise, and strategic acquisitions to support defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and commercial operations globally.

Our mission is to deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety, and expand the capabilities of organizations operating in complex environments.

Powerus writes the software that plans missions, flies aircraft, and turns what they collect into something useful. The stack is young enough that a first-year engineer's work ships rather than sits in a backlog.

This role is a genuine entry point into autonomy engineering. You will be given real ownership early, with the review and mentorship to make that safe.

Powerus is seeking a Software Developer I to join the engineering team building our ground software, tooling, and services. You will implement features, fix defects, write tests, and grow into ownership of a component. You will work alongside senior engineers with regular code review, in a team where the distance between writing something and seeing it used is short.

• Implement well-scoped features and bug fixes across ground software, services, and internal tooling
• Write unit and integration tests alongside the code they cover
• Participate in code review, both receiving and giving feedback
• Debug issues reported from test, field, or production use
• Contribute to technical documentation for the components you touch
• Support data pipelines and internal tools used by engineering and operations
• Grow toward ownership of a defined component or service
• Learn the aircraft and the mission well enough to reason about the software's purpose

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Charlotte, NC
• Degree in computer science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Working proficiency in at least one modern language such as Python, C++, Go, or Type Script
• Understanding of version control, testing, and code review practice
• Ability to break a problem down and ask for help at the right moment
• Genuine interest in aviation, robotics, or defense technology
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); this role involves access to ITAR- and EAR-controlled technical data

• Internship, co-op, or personal project experience with robotics, drones, or embedded systems
• Familiarity with ROS, MAVLink, or similar robotics frameworks
• Experience with cloud services or containerised deployment

We are looking for aptitude and curiosity rather than a long résumé. The people who do well here read the code around their task before changing it, and ask what the software is for. You should want to learn the domain, not just the codebase.

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and mission-driven workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.