Senior Software Engineer – Autonomous Air Systems (Avionics)

Orbaerospace; Lowell (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

3% employer 401k match

Disability and life insurance

Pilot license support

Continuing education supporting

Annual global demos

Job summary

Orb Aerospace is building software‑hardware integrated air platforms with a focus on autonomy and edge compute. You will lead design and development of microelectronics, sensors, and firmware, primarily using Rust.

The role is in‑person in the Midwest, requiring leadership of a small software team, collaboration across disciplines, and the implementation of modern DevOps practices to ship reliable autonomous systems.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in a strongly typed language, Rust preferred.
• Proficiency in Linux development environment.
• Strong data structures, algorithms and code optimization knowledge.
• Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, and real-time networks.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate autonomy into edge computing systems.
• Develop and test software in Software‑in‑the‑Loop and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop environments.
• Leverage mesh network hardware to support real‑time communication.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary project teams.
• Lead and mentor a small software team while balancing multiple projects.
• Implement modern DevOps practices.

Skills

Rust programming

Linux development

Data structures & algorithms

Embedded systems

Autonomous systems

SLAM

Robotics/ROS

Vision systems/OpenCV

Localization

Control systems

Education

BS or MS in CS/EE

Tools

ROS

OpenCV

Job description

Required Conditions

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• In-Person
• Fall 2026 Start

Join us in building aircraft at scale, reindustrializing the Midwest, and turning autonomous aircraft into decentralized infrastructure. Orb is a small mission‑driven team where your initiative, creativity, and dedication will be used to reach every village on the planet with power, logistics, and communications.

Your Role at Orb

Orb is building software‑hardware‑integrated air platforms. This position will lead the design and development of world‑class microelectronics, sensors, and edge compute devices, and will develop firmware and interface with software primarily in Rust.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate autonomy into edge computing systems
• Develop and test software solutions within Software‑in‑the‑Loop and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop environments
• Leverage existing mesh network hardware to support real‑time communication
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary project teams
• Lead and mentor a small software team while balancing multiple projects
• Implement modern DevOps practices

Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years working in a strongly typed language (Rust preferred)
• Proficiency in a Linux development environment
• Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and code optimization
• Experience in most or all of the following areas:
• SLAM
• Robotics/ROS
• Vision Systems (OpenCV)
• Localization
• Control systems
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Embedded software development and hardware debugging experience
• Experience developing autonomous systems
• Experience with bandwidth‑limited networking

About Orb Aerospace

Orb was started with the mission to bring aviation to the 80% of the world that’s never had it; turning autonomous aircraft into tools to decentralize infrastructure, connect continents, protect soldiers, provide for families, and run economies. “Less like the flying taxis, more like the flying cowboys,” Orb is at the intersection of manned and unmanned aviation, reindustrializing the Midwest, and building the future we know is possible and want to live in.

About Node One

Node One is a small team of engineers and operators who have dedicated their lives to solving some of the world’s hardest problems through a new kind of aviation. Orb’s live‑work‑fly R&D HQ. Node One is all about reducing the cycle time to design, build, and fly aircraft from years to months and building the systems and platforms we’ll use to reach every village on the planet. They stand on the shoulders of giants, and their great work allows us to accomplish ours. If you’ve been a rocket/airplane nerd and have a passion for designing, building, and flying airframes, autopilots, power systems, and embedded systems, or you love to push a new product through new manufacturing methods to a new market, come join the team at Node One and make history.

Orb Employees Are

• High agency and biased towards action
• Have a history of self‑starting, pacing, and finishing projects
• Thrive with autonomy to design new solutions to partially defined problems
• Are curious and continue learning
• Can represent the company to stakeholders and customers forward deployed
• Have integrity and a desire to serve others

Standard Benefits Package

• Orb provides a monthly flat rate towards medical, dental, and vision ($500 for individuals, $850 for married/family)
• Medical, vision, dental, short/long‑term disability, and group/voluntary life insurance
• Opt‑in 401k options (pre‑tax or Roth) with a 3% employer match

Perks

• Support in getting your pilot license and ratings
• Support for continuing education
• Annual customer demos all over the world