Senior Embedded Software Engineer

We’re seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to develop the firmware and embedded software layer that sits between our aircraft and ground asset hardware and the higher-level software stack. Working across microcontrollers, embedded Linux, and the buses and peripherals that connect them, you'll bring up new hardware, own the drivers and firmware that make sensors and actuators reliable, and harden the embedded systems our delivery ecosystem depends on for every flight. This is a senior individual-contributor role with real ownership: you'll own embedded subsystems end-to-end, from board bring-up through flight test and regulated change control, working closely with Electrical, Mechanical, and Onboard Software teams.

In this role, you will:

• Design, build, test, and maintain firmware and embedded software for Matternet's aircraft and station embedded systems, spanning microcontroller firmware and embedded Linux on ARM
• Own the hardware/software boundary: bring up new boards and peripherals, write and debug device drivers, and integrate sensors and peripherals (e.g. encoders, motors, IMUs, LIDAR/RADAR, and similar)
• Select and integrate microcontrollers, communication buses (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, BLE), and peripherals appropriate for new features and hardware revisions
• Drive embedded software verification and release, from bench and simulation testing through flight test and deployment across production fleets
• Debug at the hardware/software boundary when needed, including hands-on use of oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, and reviewing board-level schematics and datasheets with Electrical Engineering
• Provide senior technical support, triaging and resolving field and flight-test issues tied to embedded subsystems
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Electrical, Mechanical, Onboard Software, Operations, Safety, and Production

Requirements

• 6+ years of production embedded software/firmware engineering
• Strong C/C++ design and programming skills, with solid software engineering practice across the hardware/software/network development lifecycle (code review, source control, build systems, test-driven development, static analysis)
• Proficiency with embedded Linux for ARM (kernel, device drivers, board support) as well as bare-metal/RTOS firmware development
• Deep functional knowledge of communication protocols (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, BLE) and experience selecting the right protocol and hardware for a given application
• Experience selecting microcontrollers and bringing up new peripherals, sensors, and actuators (motors, encoders, and similar)
• Comfortable reading board-level schematics and datasheets, and debugging at the signal level using oscilloscopes and/or logic analyzers
• Proficiency with version control and peer code review workflows (e.g., Git)
• Excellent technical communication and strong cross-disciplinary teamwork in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• UAV, autonomous robotics, aerospace, or other safety-critical regulated experience
• Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
• Familiarity with an autopilot stack such as ArduPilot or PX4, and UAV/avionics technologies (ADS-B, GPS/GNSS, LIDAR, perception sensors)
• Experience with build systems such as CMake, Make, or Waf, and containerized build/test environments (Docker)
• Experience optimizing C/C++ algorithms for high data throughput
• Experience with battery management systems or smart battery ICs
• Experience using AI coding assistants to accelerate development
• Relevant mechanical, aerospace, or electrical engineering experience

Benefits

• Compensation: The expected starting range for this role is $190,000–$240,000, based on San Francisco Bay Area market data. This range reflects the target starting pay for candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the role. Final compensation will depend on factors such as your experience, skills, level, location, and potential impact.
• Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, our compensation packages include equity, and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), unlimited paid time off, company holidays, and a 401(k) plan.