Performance Drone Works (PDW) is looking for an experienced Staff Software Engineer to contribute to the next wave of system and tool development for their upcoming product lines, focusing on building systems that integrate with deployment environments, crafting specialized tools for engineering research, and supporting new technologies for sUAS functional systems.
Requirements
- Expert-level proficiency in C++, with deep understanding of modern standards, performance optimization, and memory management for real-time and embedded systems.
- Extensive experience developing and architecting applications using Qt and QML, with a focus on cross-platform user interfaces and mission control systems.
- Proven ability to design, build, and maintain complex software architectures involving real-time data processing, sensor fusion, and system-level communication.
- Strong understanding of multi-platform development, including deployment to Linux, Windows, and embedded environments used in unmanned systems.
- Hands-on experience with build tools and toolchains, such as CMake, QMake, and modern CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment.
- Proficiency in integrating remote data and control systems using RESTful APIs, JSON, and custom network communication protocols.
- Experience developing for Embedded Linux and/or Android platforms, including optimization for hardware-constrained environments.
Responsibilities
- Lead the full software development lifecycle—from concept and architecture through implementation, testing, deployment, and optimization—delivering reliable, scalable, and production-grade software solutions for autonomous aerial systems.
- Architect and design complex, multi-component systems, integrating onboard software, mission-control applications to support seamless sUAS operations.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, flight control, and product teams to define and deliver robust, mission-critical software aligned with business and operational objectives.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship across engineering teams, promoting best practices in design, code quality, and systems architecture.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement, advancing capabilities in autonomy, sensor integration, communication, and real-time data processing.
- Take ownership of high-impact technical initiatives, developing and optimizing key components such as telemetry systems, control interfaces, and communication protocols.
- Lead and support software deployments and field operations, including flight testing, live demonstrations, and in-field troubleshooting of mission-critical systems.
Other
- 10+ years of professional software engineering experience
- Background or hands-on experience with UAVs, aircraft, robotics, or hobby drones.
- Familiarity with sUAS operational environments, including the dependencies between flight software, firmware, hardware, and networked control infrastructure.
- In compliance with International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) or individuals granted asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
- This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross-differential collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities.
