Principal Airborne LiDAR Systems Engineer

Socket.dev; United States; On-site; USD 101,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Freedom to Work program

Principal program ownership

Flexible PTO

Career development opportunities

Comprehensive health, life, vision, &

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Fitness reimbursement

Pet insurance

Technology stipend

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Woolpert seeks a Principal Embedded Systems & Sensor Software Engineer to lead software for airborne LiDAR and remote sensing platforms. You will own architecture from hardware control to field deployment, interfacing with avionics, data acquisition, and end-user applications.

This role combines technical leadership with hands-on development in a highly visible environment, mentoring peers and shaping product strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• 3+ years in embedded systems or hardware-integrated software.
• Led software development for complex technical systems.
• Experience from concept to deployment of products.

Responsibilities

• Lead embedded software architectures for airborne LiDAR and imaging systems.
• Develop software for sensor control, data acquisition, timing, and diagnostics.
• Integrate software with laser subsystems, GNSS/INS, cameras, and aircraft interfaces.
• Design intuitive operator and maintenance interfaces to reduce training.
• Develop health monitoring, automated diagnostics, and predictive maintenance.
• Drive software standards, mentor engineers, and support demos and proposals.
• Validate software via environmental, HIL, flight, and factory tests.

Skills

C++

Python

C

Rust

Linux

Embedded Linux

RTOS

Qt/UI frameworks

Ethernet

CAN Bus

PCIe

Timing & synchronization

High-speed data acquisition

Git

CI/CD workflows

Automated testing

Requirements management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering

Related technical discipline

Tools

Git

CI/CD tooling

Hardware-in-loop testing

Qt tooling

Job description

We seek to move the world forward through innovative thinking.

Woolpert is an award-winning, global leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cutting‑edge technology to deliver exceptional client value. Our team is passionate about their work and committed to building the next generation of industry leaders, and as a certified Great Place to Work®, Woolpert embraces progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.

Position Overview

Woolpert is seeking a Principal Embedded Systems & Sensor Software Engineer to join our growing Advanced Sensing team to lead the development of software, embedded systems, and operator experiences for next‑generation airborne LiDAR and remote sensing platforms.

This role serves as the technical bridge between sensor hardware, avionics, aircraft operations, data acquisition systems, calibration workflows, maintenance processes, and end‑user applications. The successful candidate will own the software architecture that enables sensor operation from hardware control through field deployment, diagnostics, and lifecycle support.

This is a highly visible technical leadership role responsible for transforming advanced sensor technology into reliable, scalable, and intuitive operational systems.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must already possess work authorization in the country the job is located.

What You Will Do:

Embedded Systems Architecture

• Lead the design and development of embedded software architectures for airborne LiDAR and imaging systems.
• Develop and maintain software supporting:
• Sensor control
• Data acquisition
• Timing and synchronization
• Hardware monitoring
• Communications interfaces
• Health and status reporting
• Define software requirements and system interfaces across hardware, firmware, and application layers.

Sensor Integration

• Integrate software with:
• Laser subsystems
• LIDAR sensor
• Detector electronics
• GNSS/INS systems
• Cameras
• Aircraft interfaces
• Data storage systems
• Support laboratory integration, aircraft integration, and operational deployment activities.

User Experience & Operator Tools

• Lead development of intuitive operator and maintenance interfaces.
• Design software that simplifies:
• Sensor startup
• Mission execution
• Calibration procedures
• Diagnostic workflows
• Maintenance activities
• Partner with flight crews and field engineers to improve operational efficiency and reduce training requirements.

Reliability & Maintainability

• Develop health monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions.
• Create automated diagnostic and fault reporting capabilities.
• Support root‑cause investigations for field issues and system failures.
• Drive strategies that improve fleet reliability and reduce downtime.

System Testing & Validation

• Develop software validation and verification methodologies and support.
• Environmental testing
• Hardware-in-loop testing
• Flight testing
• Factory acceptance testing
• Analyze software and sensor performance data to identify improvement opportunities.

Technical Leadership

• Establish software development standards and best practices.
• Mentor software and systems engineers.
• Participate in technology roadmaps and product strategy discussions.
• Support customer demonstrations, technical proposals, and executive briefings.

What You Will Bring:

Education

Bachelor's degree in:

• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Aerospace Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Related technical discipline

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of professional software engineering experience.
• Minimum 3 years working with embedded systems or hardware‑integrated software.
• Demonstrated success leading software development for complex technical systems.
• Experience supporting products from concept through operational deployment.

Technical Skills

• C++
• Python
• C
• C#
• Rust
• Linux
• Embedded Linux
• Real‑Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
• Qt or similar UI frameworks
• Ethernet
• USB
• Serial interfaces
• CAN Bus
• PCIe
• Timing and synchronization systems
• High‑speed data acquisition architectures
• Git
• CI/CD workflows
• Automated testing frameworks
• Requirements management tools

#LI-On Site

Benefits You Will Love

• Freedom to Work program: Set your own schedule and location (as appropriate).
• Principal program: Earn the opportunity to become an owner of the firm.
• Flexible paid time off/vacation: Take time off when it makes sense for you and your team.
• Career development: Explore a wide range of learning and growth opportunities within and across industries.
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance: Cover all your medical bases.
• Paid sick time, retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, pet insurance, identity protection, technology stipend, employee assistance program, and more!

Base pay offered may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Pay Range

$101,000 — $126,500 USD

Find out more about what Woolpert has to offer here: http://woolpert.com/about-us/

Woolpert is an equal‑opportunity employer. Woolpert is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. You may view more about EEO on our website: Equal-Employment-Opportunity-The-Law.pdf and EEO is the Law Poster Supplement.

Applicants who require an accommodation throughout the application and interview process should request this in advance by contacting your Recruiter