Senior Embedded Systems Software Engineer

Neon Aerospace; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Neon Aero, Inc. is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems Software Engineer in Irvine, CA to design and implement robust control software for aerospace systems.

You will shape system behavior across hardware interfaces, ensure safety, and drive verification activities using MATLAB/Simulink and real-time targets. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to define interfaces, document ICDs, and validate software through MIL/SIL/HIL workflows, supporting flight-ready software from concept to

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in embedded control software for real-time systems.
• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ and RTOS concepts.
• Experience designing system-level control logic, state machines and sequencing.

Responsibilities

• Design and own system-level control architecture for actuators and power sequencing.
• Develop supervisory logic and mode management coordinating motor control and hardware.
• Define safe power-up/down, fault response, and degraded operating modes.

Skills

Real-time systems

Embedded C/C++

System-level design

Diagnostics & debugging

Problem solving

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

CAN bus

ARINC 825

SPI/Ethernet

TI C2000 / NXP MCUs

HIL/SIL testing

Job description

Senior Embedded Systems Software Engineer

Irvine, CA

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can’t keep up. At Neon Aero, we’re breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.

Here, you won’t just take a job — you’ll help reinvent how the world flies. If you’re ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.

We’re seeking a Senior Embedded Systems Software Engineer with strong systems intuition and a passion for building robust, safety-critical control software. This role sits at the intersection of embedded platform software, and system-level control logic owning the supervisory control layers that coordinate actuators, motor drives, and flight-level systems.

You will architect and implement system control logic, state machines, sequencing, diagnostics, and communication interfaces that ensure safe, deterministic operation across complex aerospace systems. While this role interfaces closely with actuator control, BMS , and vehicle control software, its primary focus is system behavior, integration, and correctness…not fast inner-loop control.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and own system-level control architecture spanning actuator control, power sequencing, and operational state management.
• Develop supervisory logic, state machines, and mode management that coordinate lower-level motor control, embedded platform software, and hardware subsystems.
• Define and implement safe power-up, power-down, input processing, fault response, and degraded operating modes consistent with system safety assessments and aerospace certification requirements.

Embedded Software Development

• Develop and maintain embedded software in C/C++ or MATLAB /Simulink on real-time microcontroller platforms (e.g., TI C2000, NXP , or comparable safety-oriented MCUs).
• Architect scalable and maintainable software frameworks supporting control execution, communication, diagnostics, and monitoring.
• Work across BSPs, middleware, and application layers to ensure deterministic behavior and system robustness.

System Interfaces & Communication

• Define, implement, and document system interfaces between controllers, subsystems, and external equipment.
• Author and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for communication protocols such as CAN (including safety-oriented profiles), ARINC 825, and other aerospace or automotive buses.
• Ensure reliable data exchange, arbitration, and fault handling across system boundaries.

Model-Based Design & Validation

• Use MATLAB /Simulink to develop and validate system-level control logic, sequencing, and coordination strategies.
• Support model-based design workflows spanning MIL, SIL , and HIL environments.
• Leverage simulation and lab data to validate system behavior across nominal, corner-case, and fault scenarios.

Integration, Test & Bring-Up

• Lead system-level integration activities across motor control, BMS , sensors, and vehicle control software.
• Support hardware bring-up, HIL testing, and lab validation, diagnosing issues that span software, hardware, and system interactions.
• Develop test strategies, automation hooks, and data analysis workflows to ensure repeatable verification.

Safety, Process & Lifecycle Support

• Support development of safety-critical embedded software by following disciplined software development processes.
• Contribute to requirements definition, traceability, verification planning, and certification readiness activities aligned with standards such as DO-178C, ARP4754/4761, or equivalent safety frameworks.
• Maintain configuration control and long-term maintainability of system software artifacts.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience developing embedded control software for complex real-time systems
• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ and real-time software architecture
• Experience designing system-level control logic, state machines, and sequencing
• Hands-on experience with communication protocols such as CAN (and derivatives), SPI , Ethernet, or ARINC (825/664)
• Experience with model-based design tools ( MATLAB /Simulink) and SIL / HIL testing
• Proven ability to integrate and debug software across hardware, firmware, and system boundaries
• Strong analytical skills and system-level problem-solving ability

Preferred / Bonus Experience

• Experience with TI C2000, NXP , or similar real-time control microcontrollers
• Prior work on safety-critical or regulated systems (aerospace, automotive, industrial)
• Exposure to certification-oriented development processes (DO-178C, ARP4754/4761, ISO 26262 concepts)
• Experience defining software architectures and development processes for growing teams
• Background spanning motor control, BMS , or vehicle control systems
• Experience supporting production launch, field issues, and system-level validation

Why This Role Matters

This role defines how complex control systems behave as a whole. Your work ensures that motors, actuators, power, and climate systems operate coherently, safe, and predictably under all conditions. You’ll have deep technical ownership and influence system architecture decisions. Play a key role in bringing flight-ready control systems from concept to deployment.

This is the expected compensation range for this role. Final compensation will be based on role scope, experience, skills, internal equity and location. This role may also be eligible for bonus/equity/benefits, if applicable.

$150,000 - $175,000 USD

Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Neon Aerospace’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.