Flight Software Engineer

Poseidon Aerospace; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Poseidon Aerospace in San Francisco is looking for a skilled Flight Software Engineer to develop and maintain autonomous flight software for our unmanned aircraft. You will be responsible for designing navigation and control algorithms, implementing real-time decision-making for safe flight operations, and collaborating with various engineering teams. Candidates should have experience with autonomous aircraft and proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Rust. This role offers a dynamic environment focused on innovative aviation technology.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience working on autonomous aircraft, including developing and implementing flight control algorithms.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to innovate when faced with real-world autonomous flight challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize autonomous flight software, including guidance, navigation, and control algorithms.
• Implement real-time decision-making systems for autonomous operations, managing dynamic flight conditions.
• Integrate software with onboard sensors, actuators, and avionics for autonomous mission execution.
• Develop software for flight planning, collision avoidance, precision landing, and mission management.
• Test and validate software using simulation environments and real-world flight testing.

Skills

Experience with autonomous aircraft

Proficiency in C++, Python, or Rust

Middleware like ROS

GNC algorithm development

Flight simulation environments

Computer vision frameworks

Sensor fusion

Problem-solving skills

Job description

Overview

Poseidon Aerospace builds and operates unmanned planes for commercial logistics and defense missions. Our two full-size fixed-wing platforms - Heron, a seaplane, and Egret, a STOL aircraft - can carry two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. We are headquartered in San Francisco with satellite offices in Washington, DC and Maine.

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.