Principal Software Engineer; Embedded

Job Description

The Principal Software Engineer (Embedded) has the opportunity to lead and develop a variety of innovative unmanned and robotic systems for multiple defense and commercial applications. The Embedded Software Engineer writes functional software for deployment on embedded devices and systems like aircraft and payloads and has the opportunity to test those devices in flight test environments. This role requires designing, developing, coding, testing and debugging system software as well as analyzing and enhancing efficiency, stability and scalability on particular devices.

The work includes full life‑cycle development as well as expanding existing software code bases to meet specific program requirements.

• Writes and tests software to support integration of sensors and embedded processors into aircraft (such as autopilots, payloads, software‑defined radios or other functional components) or other robotic systems.
• Designs and implements software for prototypes and products using established Aero Vironment and industry tools and practices. Ensures good configuration control and management of software.
• Leads the writing of system requirements, system test plans, diagnostic tools, and validation testing of software. Assists with hardware selection and recommends processing, memory and storage needs of systems.
• Leads development of rapid prototyping and conceptual level testing and estimates time to develop software and scopes the depth of development with project/program management to fit timeline and budget constraints.
• Works closely with other engineering disciplines. Focuses on getting the job done.
• Leads and supports transition of development software to production environments and to certification. Participates in multidisciplinary development teams.
• Develops proof‑of‑concept capability demonstrations and conducts and supports design reviews.
• Contributes to AV's software development process in producing quality code.
• Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires evaluation of intangibles.
• Other duties as assigned.

• A BS degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or related field is required or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Minimum 12–15 years of relevant experience.
• Experienced troubleshooting systems and proficient with Python, C, C++11, C++ STL and/or OpenCL.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Visual Studio, Eclipse or similar IDE as well as defect‑tracking tools.
• Experienced working with common protocols such as RS‑485, RS‑232, CAN, I2C, SPI, USB.
• Demonstrated mathematical and analytical skills are required.
• Periodic travel likely required to support testing equipment at approved flying locations.
• Periods of development may require long irregular hours around deadlines, weekends and some holidays in field‑test environments.

• Advanced degree is preferred.
• Demonstrates competency in contributing to the design, coding, documenting and testing software.
• Experience with Test‑Driven Development (TDD) and unit testing.
• Understanding of automated build environments and automated test and deployment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of object‑oriented programming and multi‑threaded design; familiarity with JIRA and source‑code control tools such as SVN, Bitbucket or Git Lab.
• Experience with STM
  32 family of processors and working with RTOS systems such as µC/OS, FreeRTOS on those processors.
• Experience using Video 4 Linux and modifying and compiling Embedded Linux systems.
• Experience developing drivers for Linux/ARM; familiarity with Robot Operating System (ROS) is a plus.
• Demonstrates electronics knowledge and use of lab equipment.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Understanding of the design of the system one is working on and the role that assigned tasks play in the system.
• Demonstrates competency in researching and re‑engineering to propose alternate solutions to issues.
• Excels in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment where…