Principal Airborne LiDAR Systems Engineer

Woolpert; United States; Remote; USD 101,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision

Retirement plan

Flexible schedule

Technology stipend

Career development

Job summary

Hidden Jobs is seeking a principal-level software engineer to lead the embedded architecture for airborne LiDAR and remote sensing systems. You will bridge sensor hardware, avionics, data acquisition, calibration, and field deployment to deliver reliable, scalable platforms.

The role requires 7+ years in software engineering, strong C++ and Python skills, and experience with embedded/Linux environments. This on-site position offers growth, competitive compensation, and customer-focused execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• 7+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Experience with embedded systems or hardware-integrated software.

Responsibilities

• Lead embedded software architecture for airborne LiDAR and imaging systems.
• Define system interfaces and integrate with hardware subsystems.
• Support deployment, diagnostics, and maintenance workflows.
• Develop validation methodologies and drive performance improvements.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to roadmaps and customer briefings.

Skills

Embedded systems

C++

Python

Linux

Git

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field

Tools

Qt

Ethernet

CAN bus

PCIe

Serial

Job description

Role overview

A principal-level engineering position is open on an Advanced Sensing team focused on next-generation airborne LiDAR and remote sensing platforms. The role bridges sensor hardware, avionics, aircraft operations, data acquisition, calibration workflows, maintenance, and end-user applications, owning the software architecture that takes sensors from hardware control through field deployment, diagnostics, and lifecycle support. The successful candidate will set technical direction for transforming advanced sensor technology into reliable, scalable, and intuitive operational systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of embedded software architectures for airborne LiDAR and imaging systems, including sensor control, data acquisition, timing/synchronization, hardware monitoring, communications, and health/status reporting.
• Define software requirements and system interfaces spanning hardware, firmware, and application layers, and integrate software with laser subsystems, LiDAR sensors, detector electronics, GNSS/INS, cameras, aircraft interfaces, and storage systems.
• Support lab integration, aircraft integration, and operational deployment activities, while developing intuitive operator and maintenance interfaces that simplify startup, mission execution, calibration, diagnostics, and maintenance.
• Build health monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities, create automated diagnostics and fault reporting, and lead root-cause investigations for field issues and failures.
• Develop validation and verification methodologies for environmental, hardware-in-loop, flight, and factory acceptance testing, and analyze performance data to drive improvements.
• Establish software development standards, mentor engineers, contribute to technology roadmaps and product strategy, and support customer demonstrations and executive briefings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 7 years of professional software engineering experience, including 3+ years working with embedded systems or hardware-integrated software.
• Demonstrated success leading software development for complex technical systems from concept through operational deployment.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, C, C#, and/or Rust, with experience on Linux, Embedded Linux, and real-time operating systems.
• Hands-on experience with UI frameworks such as Qt, communication interfaces including Ethernet, USB, serial, CAN bus, and PCIe, plus timing/synchronization and high-speed data acquisition architectures.
• Familiarity with Git, CI/CD workflows, automated testing frameworks, and requirements management tools.

Nice to have

• Prior work on airborne or fielded sensor systems, exposure to flight operations with crews and field engineers, and comfort supporting customer-facing technical proposals and demonstrations.

Benefits and work setup

• On-site work arrangement; candidates must already hold work authorization in the country of hire (visa sponsorship is not available).
• Compensation range is approximately $101,000–$151,800 USD, varying with knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Benefits include flexible paid time off, health/dental/vision insurance, retirement plan, fitness and pet reimbursement, identity protection, technology stipend, employee assistance program, paid sick leave, learning and career development opportunities, a flexible schedule/location program, and an ownership track for principals.