Onboard Software Engineer

Matternet, Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Matternet is seeking an Onboard Software Engineer to develop software for aircraft and ground assets, primarily in C++ on embedded Linux. You will own features end to end, validate in simulation and flight tests for BVLOS missions across varied environments.

You will collaborate with senior engineers across the company to balance performance, safety, and reliability while delivering customer-ready features on flight and ground assets.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of production software engineering with end-to-end ownership.
• Strong proficiency in C++ (C++11+) and real-time messaging.
• Solid Linux background with cross-compiling experience.
• Experience with Python and YAML.
• Applied math for navigation and avoidance.
• Experience validating software in simulation and on hardware.
• Proficient with Git and peer code reviews.
• Clear technical communication and teamwork across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own onboard features and subsystems that enhance UAV capabilities and safety mitigations.
• Build systems that enable autonomous flight in demanding environments, including dense urban airspaces.
• Deliver customer-facing features on flight and ground assets, balancing performance, safety, and reliability.
• Verify and release software from simulation and flight tests to deployment across fleets.
• Triage and fix field and flight-test issues, driving fixes through to the fleet.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Safety, and Production teams.

Skills

C++11+

Multithreading

Real-time

Linux

Python

YAML

Math skills

Git

Tools

Docker

Job description

Matternet is building the future of delivery with autonomous drone networks that move critical goods faster, cleaner, and at lower cost. We work with partners across healthcare, logistics, food, and retail to deliver everything from medical items to everyday essentials, safely and reliably.

We’re seeking an Onboard Software Engineer to develop the software that runs on our aircraft and ground assets. Working primarily in C++ on embedded Linux, you’ll build and harden the safety-critical subsystems that allow our drones to fly autonomous Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) missions across varied environments, from open airspace to dense urban areas. You’ll own features and subsystems end to end, drive them through simulation and flight test, and work alongside senior engineers and teams across the company to validate and support them in the field.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and own onboard features and subsystems that enhance our UAS capabilities and safety mitigations
• Build the systems that allow aircraft to fly autonomously in demanding environments, including dense urban airspaces
• Deliver customer-facing features on flight and ground assets, while balancing performance, safety, and reliability
• Verify and release software, from simulation and flight test to deployment across production fleets
• Triage and solve field and flight-test issues, and drive fixes through to the fleet
• Collaborate with stakeholders within Engineering, Operations, Safety, and Production

• 3+ years of production software engineering, including owning features or subsystems end to end
• Strong proficiency in C++ (C++11 and later), multithreading, and real-time messaging
• Solid Linux background and experience with cross-compiling
• Experience with Python, YAML, and other scripting tools
• Solid applied math skills (geometry, coordinate transforms, kinematics) for navigation and avoidance
• Experience implementing native software and validating it in simulation and on hardware
• Proficiency with version control and peer code review workflows (e.g., Git)
• Clear technical communication and strong cross-disciplinary teamwork in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• UAV, autonomous robotics, aerospace, or other safety-critical regulated experience
• Experience using AI coding assistants to accelerate development
• Familiarity with an autopilot stack such as ArduPilot or PX4
• Experience with computer vision and perception (OpenCV or similar) and sensor integration
• Experience with Docker and containerized build, test, and development environments
• Experience with distributed systems, networking, and fleet management
• Relevant mechanical, aerospace, or electrical engineering experience

At Matternet, we’re advancing a new era of logistics, one where autonomous drones deliver what matters faster, cleaner, and more efficiently. We know our mission is challenging, but it's worth it, and we are committed to taking care of the people who make it possible.

• Compensation: The expected starting range for this role is $160,000–$205,000, based on San Francisco Bay Area market data. This range reflects the target starting pay for candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the role. Final compensation will depend on factors such as your experience, skills, level, location, and potential impact.
• Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, our compensation packages include equity and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), unlimited paid time off, company holidays, and a 401(k) plan.