Embedded Software Engineer - Flight Stack

Knightwerx; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Knightwerx in Scottsdale, AZ seeks an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, and optimize the flight control stack for a small unmanned electric aircraft. You will work with aeromechanical, avionics, and autonomy teams to deliver robust flight software from prototype through production.

The role requires hands-on experience with UAV autopilots (PX4/ArduPilot), real-time embedded systems, and interoperability standards like STANAG 4586.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience developing embedded software for UAV flight-control or safety-critical systems.
• Hands-on experience with UAV autopilots (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot) and flight testing.
• Experience with STANAG 4586 interoperability.
• Strong knowledge of MAVLink, RTPS and other UAV communication protocols.
• Experience with uORB, FastDDS, or similar frameworks for real-time UAV communications.
• Familiarity with mission planning, geospatial systems, and mapping software.

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 comms 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.

Skills

C++

Python

Rust

Real-time

Embedded

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience

Tools

Git

CMake

Qt

React

uORB

MAVLink

RTPS

FastDDS

PX4

ArduPilot

FreeRTOS

ChibiOS

NuttX

Job description

• Knightwerx is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, and optimize the flight control stack for a small unmanned electric aircraft. We balance innovation with reliability in a fast-paced environment. You’ll work closely with aeromechanical, avionics, and autonomy teams to deliver robust, safe, high-performance flight software from prototype through production.

Work Experience

• 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.

Attributes

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams and contributing to collective goals
• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards feedback, actively seeking input from others to improve User Experience (UX)
• Innovative, hands-on, and practical
• Multi-disciplined, problem solver, driven by engineering analysis
• Goal driven, learns from mistakes, and closes the loop on the design process

Primary Duties

• 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 comms 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

Tasks

• Implement and optimize flight-control/estimation algorithms for embedded targets
• Develop and maintain features for mission planning, autopilot management, and vehicle control
• Create intuitive and responsive user interfaces (UI) for controlling and monitoring UAVs
• Implement and test new features based on user feedback and technological advancements
• Ensure the software is scalable, maintainable, and efficient
• Participate in the development and documentation of software design, code, debugging, troubleshooting, and test procedures

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 and container management