Embedded Flight Control Engineer — C++/RTOS for Drones

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Allenspark (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder seeks an Embedded Firmware and Flight Control Engineer to design and implement bio-inspired flight control architectures on aerial platforms and lead flight demonstrations. You will bridge theory to on-board software, work with custom controllers, and ensure safe, reliable UAS demonstrations for stakeholders.

The role requires a PhD and hands-on experience with embedded C++, RTOS, Ardupilot, PX4, ROS2, and drone systems, including CAN/I2C/SPI/UART interfaces and

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, robotics, or computer science.
• Experience with embedded C++ (RTOS), python, Ardupilot, PX4, ROS2.
• Hands-on experience with low-level interfaces including CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Solid grasp of control theory, PID/modern feedback loops, and state estimation filters (Kalman filters, Extended State/ Error-State Kalman Filters).
• Hands-on experience implementing and deploying embedded custom controllers onboard flight platforms (e.g. quadrotors).
• Experience piloting drones and working with motion capture systems and data.
• Understanding of internet protocols, with networking experience working with multi-device systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, write, and test low-level C++ code on microcontrollers/microprocessors.
• Write custom control architecture code and tune control loops for flight performance.
• Troubleshoot circuit boards and communication protocols (CAN, I2C, UART, etc.).
• Configure real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Set up, launch, and execute flight demonstrations for stakeholders.

Skills

Embedded C++

RTOS

Python

ArduPilot

PX4

ROS2

CAN

SPI

I2C

UART

Control theory

Kalman filters

State estimation

Flight controllers

Drones piloting

Networking

Education

PhD in engineering, robotics, or computer science

Tools

ArduPilot

PX4

ROS2

Job description

University of Colorado Boulder seeks an Embedded Firmware and Flight Control Engineer to design and implement bio-inspired flight control architectures on aerial platforms and lead flight demonstrations. You will bridge theory to on-board software, work with custom controllers, and ensure safe, reliable UAS demonstrations for stakeholders.

The role requires a PhD and hands-on experience with embedded C++, RTOS, Ardupilot, PX4, ROS2, and drone systems, including CAN/I2C/SPI/UART interfaces and