Principal Software Engineer (UAV Embedded)

Kratos Unmanned Systems; Oklahoma City (OK); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Unmanned Systems in Oklahoma City seeks a Principal Software Engineer V (UAV Embedded) to architect and implement mission-critical flight software for next-generation UAVs, interfacing with avionics hardware and MATLAB/Simulink.

You will lead software design, mentor engineers, and ensure deterministic control across flight computers, with hybrid work from the office Tue/Wed/Thu in OKC.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Computing Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other technical discipline, or 18 years of experience in lieu of a BS.
• 15 years of C/C++ programming experience.
• 3+ years aerospace/aviation/UAV software engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of OOP and RTOS.
• Experience with software development life-cycle and documenting software requirements.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of hardware-in-the-loop simulation and firmware updates.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test C++ flight software and interfaces with sensors, actuators, and hardware.
• Analyze and decompose system requirements with other engineering disciplines.
• Create software requirements specs, test descriptions, designs, and reports.
• Design, implement, test, and document software per KUAS specifications.
• Mentor mid-level software engineers.
• Work in a hybrid setup from the Oklahoma City office (Tue/Wed/Thu).

Skills

C++ flight software

RTOS

Object-Oriented

Software development life-cycle

Education

BS in Computing/CS/CE or equivalent

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

VxWorks

LabView

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Principal Software Engineer V (UAV Embedded), you will architect and implement mission-critical software for our next-generation UAV flight computers. You will be the primary link between complex flight algorithms and custom avionics hardware, developing high-performance C++ applications that ensure deterministic control and absolute system reliability. Working at the intersection of hardware and software, you will collaborate with electrical and GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) engineers to design and implement complex physical-digital interactions with MATLAB/Simulink.

WHAT YOUiLL DO

• Designs, develops, and tests C++ flight software and hardware, sensor, and actuator integrations.
• Analyzes and decomposes system requirements collaboratively with other engineering disciplines.
• Writes software requirements specifications, software test descriptions, design descriptions, and test reports
• Designs, implements, tests, and documents software according to KUAS specifications
• Mentors mid-level Software Engineers
• Hybrid, work from office T/W/Th in Oklahomna City, OK

Required Experience

• REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS A qualified candidate should have the expected year of service based on the JD. However, we can factor in entry level V qualified candidates in the compensation range.
• Requires BS degree in Computing Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other technical discipline, 18 YOE in lieu of BS degree.
• 15 years of C or C++ programming experience
• 3+ years aerospace/aviation/UAV software engineering experience
• Demonstrated understanding of Object-Oriented programming principles and RTOS systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of software development life-cycle and clearly document software requirements.
• Hands on ability to troubleshoot hardware-in-the-loop simulation modelling and make firmware updates
• Able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Skills with tools such as Atlassian, MATLAB/Simulink, VxWorks, LabView
• Skills implementing interface controls based on MBSE design documentation
• Previous familiarity with OMS/UCI, A-GRA, STANAG 4586, DO-178C, AS9100, DoDI 8500.01

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office and/or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, 10-key, phones).
• May work extended hours or weekends.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds in accordance with KUAS General Safety Training guidelines.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 5-10% May be required between other KUAS locations.

From: Kratos Defense