Head of Avionics Oxnard, California,

Position: Head of Avionics Oxnard, California, United States
Overview

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

As Head of Avionics at Swarm Aero, you will shape the future of autonomous aviation by designing, integrating, and supporting advanced avionics systems and ground control functionalities for our uncrewed aircraft. You will contribute to developing and deploying the Command & Control software to mobilize large swarms of heterogeneous autonomous assets, enabling unprecedented capabilities in aerial operations.

Your primary responsibilities will include architecting avionics systems, developing embedded software, and supporting mission-critical real-time and non-real-time environments. You will also work on novel sensing technologies, networking functions, and ensuring rigorous testing and verification of our avionics components. Your expertise in embedded systems programming, coupled with cross-disciplinary communication, will be essential in creating reliable and high-performance solutions.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work alongside industry veterans from leading aerospace companies, leveraging your experience and skills to push the boundaries of autonomous flight and swarming technologies. If you are excited by challenging problems and driven to achieve technological breakthroughs, we invite you to join us in redefining air power.

What you'll do

• Collaborate with the team to architect avionics systems, autonomy, and ground control functions for large uncrewed aircraft.

• Design, integrate, and support embedded systems in both real-time and non-real-time environments, for ground and aerial applications.

• Develop and support systems delivering autonomy, novel sensing capabilities, and networking functions.

• Define and implement architectures for software- and hardware-in-the-loop testing on avionics components.

• Develop simulation models and verify software components to ensure reliability and performance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.

• 7+ years of experience in embedded systems development, avionics, or related fields.

• Proficiency in C, C++, Rust, or other systems programming languages.

• Familiarity with tool chains, hardware constraints, and design philosophies for embedded systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a passion for cross-disciplinary communication.

• Interest in design-for-explainability, particularly for high-assurance systems subject to certification requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with a major microcontroller or microprocessor family.

• Experience in reverse-engineering.

• Expertise in build infrastructure.

• Experience in robotics and automation (virtual, terrestrial, or aerial).

• Knowledge of network routing and switching.

• Experience with Modular Open-Source Architecture components and systems.

• Understanding of hardware security modules and related components.

What we Offer

• Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k

• PTO and Paid Sick Time

• Monthly Wellness Stipend

• Daily catered lunch to office

• Paid Parental leave

• Flexible work arrangement - remote/hybrid with regular collaboration in Oxnard

• Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security

• World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems

Compensation Range

• $200,000 - $250,000 + Equity

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