Flight Software Engineer

Poseidon Aerospace; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity/early-stage

Relocation support

Health benefits

6% Retirement matching

Flexible PTO

Free lunches

AI tools and subscriptions

Job summary

Poseidon Aerospace in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain autonomous flight software for our two-ton payload cargo aircraft. You will work on GNC, perception, and real-time decision-making to enable safe, reliable autonomous flight.

Join a fast-moving team collaborating with aerospace and avionics engineers, perform HITL and field tests, and implement robust software practices to push aviation technology forward.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with autonomous aircraft software.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, or Rust for real-time embedded systems.
• Experience with ROS or similar autonomy frameworks.
• Proven track record deploying GNC algorithms on autonomous platforms.
• Experience with simulation environments and HITL testing.
• Knowledge of sensor fusion, path planning, and obstacle avoidance.
• Experience with safety-critical aviation software development and validation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize autonomous flight software for GNC.
• Implement real-time decision-making for autonomous operations.
• Integrate software with onboard sensors, actuators, and avionics.

Skills

C++

Python

Rust

ROS

Flight control algorithms

Real-time embedded systems

GNC

Computer vision

Sensor fusion

Safety-critical software

Tools

HITL testing platforms

Simulation environments

Autonomy middleware tools

Job description

About Poseidon Aerospace:

Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft - capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.

As a Flight Software Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will develop and maintain autonomous flight software for our aircraft. You will work on systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient autonomous flight, including navigation, control algorithms, and real-time decision-making. We’re looking for someone with hands‑on experience working on autonomous aircraft, who thrives in dynamic environments, and is passionate about pushing the boundaries of aviation technology.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize autonomous flight software, including guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms specifically for autonomous aircraft.

• Implement real‑time decision‑making systems for autonomous operations, managing dynamic flight conditions and environmental factors.

• Integrate software with onboard sensors, actuators, and avionics, enabling autonomous mission execution and real‑time adaptation.

• Develop software for flight planning, collision avoidance, precision landing, and mission management.

• Test and validate software using simulation environments, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) setups, and real‑world flight testing.

• Conduct rigorous code reviews and implement best practices to ensure software reliability and performance in autonomous aircraft systems.

• Collaborate with aerospace engineers, avionics engineers, and field testing teams to ensure robust software integration and reliable flight operation.

• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize flight software both in simulation and during field tests.

Ideal Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience working on autonomous aircraft, including developing and implementing flight control algorithms.

• Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Rust for real‑time embedded systems.

• Experience with middleware like ROS (Robot Operating System) or similar frameworks for autonomous systems.

• Proven track record of developing and deploying GNC algorithms on autonomous aircraft platforms.

• Experience with flight simulation environments, HITL testing, and real‑world autonomous flight testing.

• Experience with computer vision frameworks and integration into flight environments

• Knowledge of sensor fusion, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and adaptive control techniques.

• Experience with safety‑critical software development, validation, and compliance in aviation.

• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to innovate when faced with real‑world autonomous flight challenges.

What you get from us

• Competitive salary and meaningful early‑stage equity

• Relocation support if applicable

• Employee Health Benefit Plans

• 6% Retirement matching

• Flexible PTO

• Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices

• AI tools and subscriptions