Sr. Principal Software Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia Colony (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 272,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K match

9/80 schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead and mentor a team of software developers in a fast-paced Agile environment.

You will oversee design, development and testing of software for autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles, driving architecture, reviews and documentation while ensuring on-time delivery. Qualifications include an advanced degree and 15+ years in Windows/Linux app development, strong OO design, and expertise in C++/C#/Python, with experience in SDLC and

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum 15+ years of relevant experience in Windows or Linux application software development.
• Object Oriented Design experience is required.
• Experienced with formal and structured software lifecycle development process.
• Familiar with software design patterns, SDLC, and STLC.
• Expertise in one of the following: C# .Net, C++, C, and/or Python.
• Experienced writing unit tests and debugging code.
• Experienced with Agile Software Development Process Management.
• Demonstrated mathematical and analytical skills are required.
• Demonstrated familiarity with source code configuration management tools such as Git as well as familiarity with CI/CD tools, IDEs and debuggers.
• Willingness to travel locally (Occasionally)

Responsibilities

• Works on defining software life cycle development process and requirements
• Supervises and oversees technical software development in support of programs
• Presents at and leads internal and external software design reviews
• Oversees creation of software design documentation according to software process requirements
• Contributes to process improvement efforts and ensures compliance with coding standards
• Ensures team delivers work on-time according to agreed completion dates and within project schedule and budget
• Derives software architecture and algorithm design from detailed software requirements
• Works closely with multiple teams of software developers and reports updates to senior management
• Operates in a continuous learning environment and provides knowledge transfer and mentoring to less experienced engineers
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments. May supervise the activities of others

Skills

Object oriented design

Agile software development

C++/C#/Python

Unit testing & debugging

Git, CI/CD tools

Leadership

Education

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

Git

CI/CD tooling

IDEs

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary As a Principal Software Engineer, leads and mentors a talented group of software developers in a fast moving, collaborative Agile development environment. In this role, one oversees plans, design, development and testing of software systems or applications for software enhancements and new products to support autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles. As an expert in the field, one uses professional concepts in developing resolution to critical issues and broad design matters. Position Responsibilities Works on defining software life cycle development process and requirements Supervises and oversees technical software development in support of programs Presents at and leads internal and external software design reviews Oversees creation of software design documentation according to software process requirements Contributes to process improvement efforts and ensures compliance with coding standards Ensures team delivers work on-time according to agreed completion dates and within project schedule and budget Derives software architecture and algorithm design from detailed software requirements Works closely with multiple teams of software developers and reports updates to senior management Operates in a continuous learning environment and provides knowledge transfer and mentoring to less experienced engineers Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments. May supervise the activities of others

Position Responsibilities

• Works on defining software life cycle development process and requirements
• Supervises and oversees technical software development in support of programs
• Presents at and leads internal and external software design reviews
• Oversees creation of software design documentation according to software process requirements
• Contributes to process improvement efforts and ensures compliance with coding standards
• Ensures team delivers work on-time according to agreed completion dates and within project schedule and budget
• Derives software architecture and algorithm design from detailed software requirements
• Works closely with multiple teams of software developers and reports updates to senior management
• Operates in a continuous learning environment and provides knowledge transfer and mentoring to less experienced engineers
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments. May supervise the activities of others

Basic Qualifications (Required Skill s & Experience)

• Advanced degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 15+ years of relevant experience in Windows or Linux application software development.
• Object Oriented Design experience is required
• Experienced with formal and structured software lifecycle development process
• Familiar with software design patterns, SDLC, and STLC
• Expertise in one of the following: C# .Net, C++, C, and/or Python
• Experienced writing unit tests and debugging code
• Experienced with Agile Software Development Process Management
• Demonstrated mathematical and analytical skills are required
• Demonstrated familiarity with source code configuration management tools such as Git as well as familiarity with CI/CD tools, IDEs and debuggers
• Willingness to travel locally (Occasionally)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• M.S. or PhD is preferred
• Experience with computer vision and machine learning, especially on embedded systems
• Experience with UAS, drones, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other embedded systems
• Familiar with real-time control systems, especially advanced estimation techniques
• Demonstrates capacity as an innovator and subject matter in the field
• Demonstrates understanding of object-oriented design, data structures, database, and operating systems.
• A basic knowledge of networking is preferred
• Demonstrates leadership skills and sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Demonstrates effective listening, questioning, clarifying and summarizing skills to effectively communicate in one-on-one and small group settings
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office environment (Frequent) Required to stand and sit for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary

The salary range for this role is: $170,000 - $272,000

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.