Software Engineer, Advanced Pilot Assistant Software (Autonomy/Robotics)

All Aviation Jobs; San Carlos (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

3 weeks PTO + holidays

401(k) plan

Job summary

Beacon AI, a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators, seeks a Software Engineer to design and build autonomous pilot-assistance software for safety-critical aviation environments. You will contribute across the stack, developing autonomy, robotics, and embedded systems that support real-time decision-making for human operators.

You will write production-quality Python and C++ code, integrate with hardware and sensors, and help optimize software for edge compute while collaborating

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience designing or building robotic software and/or embedded systems.
• Production-quality code in C++ and/or Python.
• Familiarity with real-time or time-sensitive decision systems.
• Exposure to autonomy-related systems such as planning, decision-making, or reasoning, and working with sensor or perception pipelines.
• Some experience with embedded or edge compute platforms and debugging hardware/software interactions.
• Ability to learn quickly in fast-moving environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy robotic and embedded software components for pilot assistance systems.
• Contribute to autonomy-related features from development through deployment.
• Write, test, and maintain Python and/or C++ code across autonomy, systems, and embedded components.
• Integrate software with hardware, sensors, and perception pipelines to support autonomous and operator-in-the-loop decision-making.
• Help optimize software for edge compute environments, including managing latency and resource usage.
• Participate in testing, validation, and deployment to meet safety-critical requirements.
• Collaborate in design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on development with senior engineers and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Robotic software

Embedded systems

C++

Python

Real-time systems

Sensor pipelines

Edge compute

Tools

ROS

DDS

Job description

About Beacon AI

We’re a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators building an AI platform to make flying safer, more efficient, and more capable. Backed by top investors, we’ve secured a dozen Department of Defense contracts and partnered with major airlines to deliver mission-critical systems. We operate without silos or heavy processes. Small, focused teams own what they build, ship quickly, and learn fast, pushing the boundaries of how humans and AI work together in aviation.

About Beacon AI

We’re a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators building an AI platform to make flying safer, more efficient, and more capable. Backed by top investors, we’ve secured a dozen Department of Defense contracts and partnered with major airlines to deliver mission-critical systems. We operate without silos or heavy processes. Small, focused teams own what they build, ship quickly, and learn fast, pushing the boundaries of how humans and AI work together in aviation.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Software Engineer to help design and build the advanced pilot assistance software that supports our flight safety platform. In this role, you will develop and deploy autonomy, robotics, and embedded systems that operate in real-world, safety-critical aviation environments. You will contribute hands-on across the stack, working closely with senior engineers to deliver reliable systems that support time-sensitive decision-making for human operators.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and deploy robotic and embedded software components used in advanced pilot assistance systems.
• Contribute to autonomy-related features or subsystems from development through deployment, with a focus on reliability and performance.
• Write, test, and maintain high-quality Python and/or C++ code across autonomy, systems, and embedded components.
• Integrate software with hardware, sensors, and perception or data ingestion pipelines to support autonomous and operator-in-the-loop decision-making.
• Help optimize software for edge compute environments, including managing latency and resource usage.
• Participate in testing, validation, and deployment efforts to ensure systems meet safety-critical and mission-critical requirements.
• Collaborate in design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on development with senior engineers and cross-functional teams.

What Will Make You Successful

• 2+ years of experience designing or building robotic software and/or embedded systems, or equivalent experience through projects, internships, or coursework.
• Experience writing production-quality code in C++ and/or Python.
• Familiarity with real-time or interactive systems that support users making time-sensitive decisions.
• Exposure to autonomy-related systems such as planning, decision-making, or reasoning, and working with sensor or perception pipelines.
• Some experience working with embedded or edge compute platforms and debugging hardware/software interactions.
• Ability to learn quickly and contribute effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.

Bonus Points

• Experience working on safety-critical or mission-critical systems, including aviation or robotics domains.
• Exposure to robot operating systems or middleware such as ROS or DDS.
• Interest in human-in-the-loop systems, simulation environments, or real-time control systems.
• Background or strong interest in autonomy, robotics, or advanced mobility.

Work Location

This is a hybrid role based in San Carlos, CA, with 3+ days per week onsite and the option to work remotely on remaining days.

Perks & Benefits (Full-Time Employees)

• Healthcare: 100%* of employee medical premiums covered; 25% for dependents
• Time Off: 3 weeks PTO plus 13+ paid company holidays
• 401(k): Offered (no current employer match, but we are committed to enhancing this benefit in the future)

Due to U.S. export control regulations, we can only hire U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted asylum or refugee status). We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa transfers. All work must be performed in the United States.

Beacon AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit harassment or discrimination of any kind in the workplace and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.