Embedded Software Engineer

Powerus; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerus is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop flight and systems software for unmanned platforms. You will work on real-time embedded code across flight control, sensor integration, and vehicle systems, taking features from bench through hardware-in-the-loop to flight test.

You will collaborate with hardware, GNC, and test engineering in short, direct loops to shape the architecture of a forming stack, and you will help ensure safety through unit tests and clear documentation.

Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Charlotte, NC.
• Experience developing embedded software in C or C++ on resource-constrained targets.
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems, interrupts, and hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN.
• Experience debugging at the hardware level with logic analysers, oscilloscopes, or JTAG.
• Comfort reading schematics and datasheets.
• Experience with version control and code review in a team setting.
• U.S. Person status required due to ITAR- and EAR-controlled data.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain real-time embedded software for flight control and vehicle systems.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, and communications peripherals at the driver and middleware level.
• Build and use hardware-in-the-loop and bench test environments to validate behaviour before flight.
• Support flight test, including on-site debugging and post-flight log analysis.
• Contribute to architecture decisions on the flight software stack.
• Write and maintain unit and integration tests for safety-relevant code paths.
• Work with hardware engineering on board bring-up and interface definition.
• Document interfaces, failure modes, and system behaviour for downstream teams.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

RTOS

Sensor interfaces SPI/I2C/UART/CAN

Hardware debugging

Version control

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

ROS

Hardware-in-the-loop

Job description

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-consequence environments. The company combines advanced autonomy, manufacturing capability, operational expertise, and strategic acquisitions to support defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and commercial operations globally.

Mission

Our mission is to deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety, and expand the capabilities of organizations operating in complex environments.

Why Join Powerus

Powerus is building the autonomy and flight software that runs on its own hardware, across a widening family of unmanned platforms. The stack is young, which means the architectural decisions being made now are the ones the fleet will fly on.

This role puts you close to the vehicle. You will write code that runs on the aircraft, see it fly the same week, and own the parts of the system where software meets physics.

Position Overview

Powerus is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop flight and systems software for our unmanned platforms. You will work on real-time embedded code across flight control, sensor integration, and vehicle systems, take features from bench through hardware-in-the-loop to flight test, and help shape the architecture of a stack that is still forming. You will work alongside hardware, GNC, and test engineering in short, direct loops.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain real-time embedded software for flight control and vehicle systems
• Integrate sensors, actuators, and communications peripherals at the driver and middleware level
• Build and use hardware-in-the-loop and bench test environments to validate behaviour before flight
• Support flight test, including on-site debugging and post-flight log analysis
• Contribute to architecture decisions on the flight software stack
• Write and maintain unit and integration tests for safety-relevant code paths
• Work with hardware engineering on board bring-up and interface definition
• Document interfaces, failure modes, and system behaviour for downstream teams

Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Charlotte, NC
• Experience developing embedded software in C or C++ on resource-constrained targets
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems, interrupts, and hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN
• Experience debugging at the hardware level with logic analysers, oscilloscopes, or JTAG
• Comfort reading schematics and datasheets
• Experience with version control and code review in a team setting
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); this role involves access to ITAR- and EAR-controlled technical data

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAV, robotics, automotive, or aerospace flight software
• Familiarity with PX4, ArduPilot, ROS, or comparable autonomy frameworks
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop simulation
• Exposure to DO-178C, MISRA, or comparable safety-critical practice
• On-edge-device autonomy or computer vision experience

What We Look For

We are looking for an engineer who wants to be near the aircraft. The best people in this role are the ones who will drive to the test site, watch the vehicle fly their code, and come back with a theory. You should be comfortable owning a subsystem end to end, and honest about what has and has not been tested.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and mission-driven workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.