Knightwerx
Embedded Software Engineer - Flight Stack
Base pay range: $140,000.00/yr - $170,000.00/yr. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Overview Knightwerx is seeking a highly skilled Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, and optimize the flight control stack for a small unmanned electric aircraft. You’ll work closely with aeromechanical, avionics, and autonomy teams to deliver robust, safe, high-performance flight software from prototype through production.
Responsibilities
Develop, integrate, and maintain real-time flight-control software for UAS
Implement control loops, state estimation, and sensor fusion for stable, precise flight
Integrate avionics hardware, navigation sensors, payload/power modules, and communications into the flight stack
Conduct SIL/HIL simulations and bench testing; validate flight performance and failsafes
Support flight tests: pre-flight checkout, in-flight telemetry monitoring, post-flight log analysis
Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, autonomy, and systems teams to tune performance
Maintain configuration management, version control, and documentation to safety/quality standards
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience
5+ years professional experience developing embedded software for UAV flight-control or similar safety-critical systems
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and test real-time embedded software for flight control and avionics
Hands-on experience with UAV autopilots (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot) and flight testing
Experience with international interoperability standards like STANAG 4586
Strong knowledge of MAVLink, RTPS and other UAV communication protocols
Experience with uORB, FastDDS, or similar frameworks for real-time communications in UAV systems
Familiarity with mission planning, geospatial systems, and mapping software
Skills
Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices in software development
Experience with version control systems (Git) and build tools (CMake)
Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, and/or Rust
Familiarity with Qt, React, or similar frameworks for GUI development
Strong understanding of real-time communication protocols and back-end integration
Experience with RTOS (FreeRTOS, ChibiOS, NuttX, or similar), PX4/ArduPilot internals, messaging (uORB, MAVLink), and real-time middleware (RTPS/FastDDS)
Nice to have: awareness of STANAG 4586/interoperability concepts and airworthiness/safety practices, and experience with containerization
Requirements
Must have US citizenship
On-site, collaborative work environment
Employment details
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function/Industries: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing and Defense and Space Manufacturing
EEO statements and other notices are kept to a minimum here and do not materially alter the job description.
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Overview Knightwerx is seeking a highly skilled Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, and optimize the flight control stack for a small unmanned electric aircraft. You’ll work closely with aeromechanical, avionics, and autonomy teams to deliver robust, safe, high-performance flight software from prototype through production.
Responsibilities
Develop, integrate, and maintain real-time flight-control software for UAS
Implement control loops, state estimation, and sensor fusion for stable, precise flight
Integrate avionics hardware, navigation sensors, payload/power modules, and communications into the flight stack
Conduct SIL/HIL simulations and bench testing; validate flight performance and failsafes
Support flight tests: pre-flight checkout, in-flight telemetry monitoring, post-flight log analysis
Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, autonomy, and systems teams to tune performance
Maintain configuration management, version control, and documentation to safety/quality standards
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience
5+ years professional experience developing embedded software for UAV flight-control or similar safety-critical systems
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and test real-time embedded software for flight control and avionics
Hands-on experience with UAV autopilots (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot) and flight testing
Experience with international interoperability standards like STANAG 4586
Strong knowledge of MAVLink, RTPS and other UAV communication protocols
Experience with uORB, FastDDS, or similar frameworks for real-time communications in UAV systems
Familiarity with mission planning, geospatial systems, and mapping software
Skills
Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices in software development
Experience with version control systems (Git) and build tools (CMake)
Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, and/or Rust
Familiarity with Qt, React, or similar frameworks for GUI development
Strong understanding of real-time communication protocols and back-end integration
Experience with RTOS (FreeRTOS, ChibiOS, NuttX, or similar), PX4/ArduPilot internals, messaging (uORB, MAVLink), and real-time middleware (RTPS/FastDDS)
Nice to have: awareness of STANAG 4586/interoperability concepts and airworthiness/safety practices, and experience with containerization
Requirements
Must have US citizenship
On-site, collaborative work environment
Employment details
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function/Industries: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing and Defense and Space Manufacturing
EEO statements and other notices are kept to a minimum here and do not materially alter the job description.
#J-18808-Ljbffr