Embedded Software Engineer - Special Purpose Software

Xwing

Santa Cruz (CA)

On-site

USD 108,000 - 194,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Job summary

Joby Aviation is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to architect and implement low-level software powering core airborne systems. You will adapt existing firmware for manufacturing tooling and test applications, contributing to system design in a fast-moving cross-functional team.

You will deliver robust software for HIL setups, analyze flight systems, and repurpose firmware for new usages, with a strong emphasis on ARM architectures and C++ in an aerospace context.

Qualifications

Bachelors or higher in a technical field with 3+ years of embedded software experience, or a related Masters with 1+ year.
Strong knowledge of C++ and object-oriented design with multi-layer architectures.
Understanding of hardware from an embedded software perspective.
Experience with IDEs, debuggers, and test equipment (O-scope, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers).
Familiarity with ARM Cortex-M0/M3/M4/A8/A9 and common protocols (I2C, CAN, SPI, UART).
Willingness to be onsite in Santa Cruz, CA three days per week.

Responsibilities

Architect, design, and implement low-level embedded software powering core airborne systems.
Adapt existing software to support manufacturing, tooling, and test applications.
Contribute to conceptual system design discussions within an agile team.
Deliver production-ready software for hardware-in-the-loop test setups and factory operations.
Analyze flight systems to diagnose issues and repurpose firmware for new usages.

Skills

C++

OOP

Embedded systems

ARM architectures

Microcontrollers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, Mathematics, Robotics, or related

Master’s degree in a related technical field (optional)

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Protocol analyzers

Job description

Embedded Software Engineer - Special Purpose Software

Job Locations: US-CA-Santa Cruz

ID: 2026-5328

Category: Software

Type: Regular Full-Time

Company Overview

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Overview

In this role you will be involved in the architecture and implementation of the embedded software at the heart of Joby Aviation aircraft. You will play a key role in a small, fast-moving team and have input into conceptual system design and implementation of embedded software for a wide range of embedded systems. Their role will be to design and implement versions of all our existing embedded systems currently on the Joby aircraft to be specific for a range of manufacturing and test applications. This will require a deep understanding of the various embedded systems on the aircraft and how to creatively reconfigure them for new applications and usages.

Responsibilities

Architect, design, and implement low-level embedded software powering core airborne systems and aircraft functionality
Adapt and reconfigure existing aircraft embedded software systems to support dedicated manufacturing, tooling, and specialized test applications
Contribute technical insights to conceptual system design discussions within a fast-moving, cross-functional engineering team
Deliver robust, production-ready embedded software tailored to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test setups, automated test equipment, and factory line operations
Analyze embedded flight systems and protocols to diagnose technical issues, optimize system performance, and repurpose firmware for novel operational usages

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, Mathematics, Robotics, or a related technical field with 3+ years of relevant industry experience in embedded software development; or a Master’s degree in a related technical field with 1+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent demonstrated experience through a robust portfolio of designed and deployed embedded software systems
Demonstrated knowledge of C++ and object-oriented programming and methodology with some experience with multi-layered system architectures
Understanding of hardware from an embedded software engineer's perspective
Experience with modern integrated development environments and debuggers
Hands-on experience with test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, voltmeters, etc.
Understanding of modern microcontroller and microprocessor architectures such as ARM
Cortex-M0/M3/M4/A8/A9
Knowledge of and experience with communication protocols including I2C, CAN, SPI, UART, etc.
A positive attitude and a passion for aerospace
Ability to be onsite in Santa Cruz, CA 3 days a week

Desired

Knowledge of and experience with real-time operating systems
Experience with safety-critical embedded systems
Exposure to the software development process and modern software engineering techniques
Experience with DO178C process, requirements authoring and verification

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $108,200 - $193,600/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.