Principal Software Engineer

InvestedintheMission; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to develop software for autonomous robotic platforms and the Kinesis ecosystem. You will work closely with hardware teams to deliver robust navigation, autonomy, and mission systems across Android, Linux, and Windows environments.

The role emphasizes ownership, fast iterations, and mentoring, with opportunities to influence architecture and drive customer programs. Occasional travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 12+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for vision-based navigation, autonomy, and mission systems.
• Drive technical direction across the Kinesis ecosystem.
• Design, implement, and integrate C++ and Kotlin systems.
• Develop cross-platform applications for Android, Linux, and Windows.
• Lead customer programs and mentor junior engineers.
• Perform field testing with robots to validate features.
• Travel locally as needed.

Skills

C++ language mastery

Software architecture

Hardware integration

Team leadership

Customer interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math or Physics

Tools

CMake

Docker

GitLab

SDK design

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

As a Principal Software Engineer at AV, you’ll develop software to control advanced robotic platforms from AV and industry leaders including Boston Dynamics, Red Cat, FLIR, Skydio, QinetiQ, Parrot, and more. You’ll play a key role in developing Kinesis, our flagship software ecosystem that enables users to collaboratively control a diverse set of robots.

This role is ideal for engineers who take ownership, enjoy working hands‑on with hardware, and bring structure and clarity to complex systems. You’ll be trusted to move quickly, make sound decisions, and continuously improve our product and execution.

Position Responsibilities

• Software development in support of AV’s vision-based navigation, autonomy, cooperative behaviors, and mission systems technology roadmap.
• Drive technical direction and architectural decisions across the Kinesis ecosystem.
• Design, implement, and integrate systems in C++ and Kotlin.
• Develop cross-platform applications for Android, Linux, and Windows to control robotic platforms.
• Design SDK interfaces for internal and external integration with AV systems.
• Serve as a technical lead for customer programs.
• Perform hands‑on field testing with robots to validate new features.
• Delivers work on time according to agreed completion dates and project schedule & budget.
• Supports and derives algorithm design from detailed software requirements.
• Works closely with multiple teams of software developers reusing developed software to support different programs.
• Operates in a continuous learning environment and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
• Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles.
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments.
• Occasional travel for customer or testing events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience with 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong fluency in modern C++, maintainable software architecture, and modular system design
• Experience evaluating product design tradeoffs and translating them into clear system requirements
• Hands‑on knowledge of CMake or similar build systems
• Experience developing software for mechatronic or hardware-integrated systems
• Knowledge of computer networking topologies, protocols, and principles
• Familiarity with safety critical software concepts such as determinism and real‑time systems
• Self‑directed engineer who takes ownership and brings structure to complex systems
• Ability to engage directly with technical and non‑technical customers
• Ability to leverage AI tooling to improve engineering productivity and code quality
• Experience tasking and mentoring small engineering teams
• Ability to obtain a US DoD Secret clearance if required
• Willingness to travel locally (Occasionally)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced degree is preferred
• Experience with UAS, drones, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other embedded systems
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (Gitlab or similar)
• Android/Linux application development experience
• Experience with Docker
• Experience with FastDDS, gRPC, MQTT, or similar networking protocols
• Experience designing and delivering APIs and SDKs to third‑party developers
• Demonstrates leadership skills and sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Demonstrates effective listening, questioning, clarifying and summarizing skills to effectively communicate in one‑on‑one and small group settings
• Demonstrates understanding of system design that one is working on and understands the role that assigned tasks play in the system
• Able to excel in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Has effective problem‑solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

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

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is: $147,000 - $224,250

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. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.