Senior UAV Embedded Software Architect (Hybrid, Roseville)

Kratos Unmanned Systems; Roseville (CA); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems (KUAS), a division of Kratos Defense, is hiring a Principal Software Engineer V to architect and implement mission‑critical UAV flight software for next‑generation flight computers. You will bridge complex flight algorithms with custom avionics hardware, developing high‑performance C++ applications ensuring deterministic control and reliability.

You will collaborate with electrical and GNC engineers to design physical‑digital interactions using MATLAB/Simulink,

Qualifications

• BS degree in Computing Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar; 18 years of experience in lieu of BS.
• 15 years of C or C++ programming experience.
• 3+ years aerospace/aviation/UAV software engineering experience.
• Solid understanding of object‑oriented programming principles and RTOS.
• Knowledge of software development life-cycle and documenting software requirements.
• Hands-on ability to troubleshoot hardware‑in‑the‑loop simulation and firmware updates.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (U.S. citizenship).

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and tests C++ flight software and hardware, sensor, and actuator integrations.
• Analyzes and decomposes system requirements 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 Tue/Wed/Thu in Roseville, CA.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Aerospace/UAV software

OOP principles

SDLC knowledge

HIL testing

Education

BS in CS/Computing Science/CE

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

VxWorks

LabVIEW

Job description

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems (KUAS), a division of Kratos Defense, is hiring a Principal Software Engineer V to architect and implement mission‑critical UAV flight software for next‑generation flight computers. You will bridge complex flight algorithms with custom avionics hardware, developing high‑performance C++ applications ensuring deterministic control and reliability.

You will collaborate with electrical and GNC engineers to design physical‑digital interactions using MATLAB/Simulink,