Lead Software Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia Colony (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Lead Software Engineer to design, develop, and deliver high-performance autonomy software applications across the full stack in an Agile setting.

The role emphasizes modern C++, real-time and safety-critical systems, and collaboration with systems engineers. You will own architecture decisions, support ground control station development for Android, and mentor junior engineers while interfacing with vendors and customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, CS, EE, math or physics or equivalent; or Master’s with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years.
• Extensive hands-on experience with modern C++, maintainable software architecture and modular system design.
• Experience with DDS or similar protocols and data distribution across constrained networks.
• Experience with mechatronic/hardware-integrated software and safety-critical real-time concepts.
• Ability to engage with technical and non-technical customers.

Responsibilities

• Develops C++ software to implement autonomy algorithms for real-time systems.
• Supports CI/CD pipelines and develops GCS software for Android.
• Owns architecture and design decisions ensuring maintainability.
• Evaluates tradeoffs for performance, reliability and schedule constraints.
• Troubleshoots issues with aircraft and payloads.
• Interfaces with vendors to integrate new payloads onto the platform.
• Develops technical documentation and user manuals.
• Collaborates with systems engineers for reliable system performance.
• Leads, mentors, and provides guidance within the team.

Skills

C++

DDS

CI/CD

Android development

Networking concepts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering/CS/EE/Math/Physics

Master’s degree with 6 years related experience

PhD with 4 years related experience

Tools

CMake

GitLab

Docker

Android development tools

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The primary role of the Lead Software Engineer is to design, develop, and deliver high-performance, mission-critical, and autonomy software applications. This role focuses on building modern, scalable systems across the full technology stack, working in an Agile environment to support complex operational needs.

Position Responsibilities

• Develops C++ software to implement autonomy algorithms for real time systems that interact with various payloads
• Support and integrate CI/CD pipelines
• Supports the development of ground control station (GCS) software for Android
• Owns architecture and design decisions for software systems, ensuring alignment with program requirements and long-term maintainability.
• Evaluates technical tradeoffs and risk across performance, reliability, and schedule constraints.
• Troubleshoots technical issues with aircraft and payloads
• Interfaces with 3rd party vendors to integrate new payloads onto the platform
• Develops user manuals and other technical documentation
• Collaborates with systems engineers and other software disciplines to ensure consistent, reliable system performance
• Partners with the Chief Engineer and Product Line Manager to define requirements, plan new projects, and evaluate emerging opportunities
• Operates in a continuous learning environment; provides technical leadership, guidance, and mentoring to less experienced engineers

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 6 years of related experience; or PhD with 4 years of related experience.
• Extensive, hands- on experience with modern C++, maintainable software architecture, and modular system design.
• Experience with DDS (Data Distribution Service) or similar protocols, including managing data distribution across disparate nodes over constrained networks, and general knowledge of networking topologies and principles.
• Experience developing software for mechatronic or hardware-integrated systems, including familiarity with safety-critical concepts such as determinism and real-time systems.
• Ability to engage directly with technical and non-technical customers.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Hands- on knowledge of CMake or similar build systems; able to support cross-platform builds for Android and Linux (x86 and ARM).
• Experience with UAS, drones, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other embedded systems.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices (GitLab or similar).
• Experience with Docker - used for application deployment, development and testing environments.
• Kotlin or Java experience (e.g., for Android development).
• Comfortable taking ownership across multiple areas of a project rather than working in a narrow, siloed role.
• Willingness to travel locally (Occasionally).

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant).
• Required to stand and sit for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent).

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Presently holds or capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.
• Clearance Level No Clearance.

The salary range for this role is: $122,500 - $187,000

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology— we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian- but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.

Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology— we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian- but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than