Principal Embedded Software Engineer

The Principal Software Engineer (Embedded) leads the development of software for unmanned and robotic systems, including aircraft and payloads. The role involves designing, coding, testing, and debugging embedded software, as well as integrating sensors and processors. The engineer also leads system requirements, test plans, and rapid prototyping, and works closely with other engineering disciplines to transition software to production.

Responsibilities

• 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 AeroVironment and industry developed tools and practices. Ensures good configuration control and management of software.
• Leads in writing of system requirements, system test plans, diagnostic tools, and in validation testing of software. Assist with hardware selection and recommend processing, memory and storage needs of systems.
• Leads development of rapid prototyping and conceptual level testing and will require estimating time to develop software and scoping the depth of the development with project/program management to fit timeline and budget constraints.
• Works closely with other engineering disciplines. Focused on getting the job done.
• Leads and supports transition of development software to production environments and to certification. Participates in multi-disciplinary development teams.
• Develops proof of concept capability demonstrations. Conducts and supports design reviews.
• Contributes to AV's software development process in developing quality code.
• Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires evaluation of intangibles.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A BS degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 12 - 15 years of experience years of relevant experience
• Experienced trouble-shooting systems is required and is 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 will likely be required in support of testing equipment at approved flying locations
• Periods of development may require long irregular hours around deadlines, weekends and some holidays and in field test environments

Nice to have

• Advanced degree is preferred
• Demonstrates competency in contributing to the design, coding, documenting and testing software
• Experience with Test Driven Development (TDD) along with unit testing software
• Understanding of automated build environments along with automated test and deployment
• Demonstrated knowledge of object-oriented programming and multi-threaded design such as JIRA and source code control tools such as SVN, Bitbucket or GitLab
• Experience with STM32 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 is required, 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 that one is working on and understand the role that assigned tasks play in the system
• Demonstrates competency in researching and re-engineering to propose alternate solutions to issues
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Benefits

• Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.