Flight Software Engineer

Powerus; Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerus is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to develop and release onboard software for autonomous aerial systems in C and C++. You will cover flight control, sensor drivers, payload interfaces, and datalink protocols on microcontroller targets, and help integrate autonomy with the flight stack.

The role requires hands-on embedded software experience, real-time or bare-metal firmware, and strong debugging skills on target hardware. U.S. Person status is required due to ITAR/EAR restrictions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or aerospace engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Embedded C/C++ software development experience.
• Experience with real-time operating systems or bare-metal firmware.
• Experience with serial, CAN, SPI, and I2C interfaces.
• U.S. Person status required due to ITAR/EAR controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop flight software for embedded flight controllers.
• Write and maintain drivers for sensors and interfaces.
• Implement payload and datalink protocols.
• Integrate autonomy and navigation with the flight stack.
• Write unit tests and software-in-the-loop tests.
• Support flight tests, analyze logs, and resolve defects.
• Maintain release documentation and version control practices.

Skills

Embedded software development

RTOS / bare-metal

Sensor interfaces CAN SPI I2C

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or aerospace engineering

Tools

PX4 flight stack

ArduPilot

MAVLink

Debugging tools (logic analyzers)

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 flight software runs on the flight controllers of its aircraft and handles flight control, navigation, payload control, and datalink communication. Every release is flown before it is fielded.

This role writes and maintains that code. Engineers test their own code at unit and software-in-the-loop level; release verification on hardware rigs is performed by the Hardware-in-the-Loop Test team.

Position Overview

Powerus is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to develop and release onboard software for autonomous aerial systems in C and C++, covering flight control, sensor drivers, payload interfaces, and datalink protocols on microcontroller targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop flight software in C and C++ for embedded flight controllers
• Write and maintain drivers for IMUs, GNSS receivers, magnetometers, and other sensors
• Implement and maintain payload and datalink interfaces
• Integrate autonomy and navigation functions with the flight stack
• Write unit and software-in-the-loop tests for new and changed code
• Support flight test, analyze flight logs, and resolve defects
• Maintain release documentation and version control practices

Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Rock Hill, SC
• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or aerospace engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• Professional experience developing embedded software in C or C++
• Experience with real-time operating systems or bare-metal firmware
• Experience with serial, CAN, SPI, and I2C interfaces
• Experience debugging on target hardware with debuggers and logic analyzers
• 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 PX4, ArduPilot, or comparable flight stacks
• Experience with MAVLink
• Experience with sensor fusion and state estimation
• Experience supporting flight test
• Experience with DO-178C or comparable software assurance processes
• Active or prior U.S. security clearance

What We Look For

Candidates should have written vehicle control or flight software that flew, and should be able to describe a defect found in flight data and how they fixed it.

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.