Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Performance Drone Works (PDW) builds technologies for the warfighter, by the warfighter.

Born out of the Drone Racing League, our roots are competitive, our mindset is tactical, and our mission is clear: deliver purpose-built unmanned systems to those who serve.

We are not here to sell vapor; we build and ship real capabilities for real missions.

Now, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for a highly skilled and motivated Principal Embedded Engineer to join our team, contributing to the next wave of system and tool development for our upcoming product lines.

The ideal candidate will thrive working in an innovative and fast-paced work environment, have excellent critical thinking skills, and will play a pivotal role in designing the next generation of our autonomous, semi-autonomous, and precision flight drones.

This includes assisting in the architectural design, parts selection, validation test design, and overseeing hardware and software development cycles for a variety of hardware projects.

What You'll Do Drive the Software Engineering group to use modern best-practices and best-in-class tools. Lead and mentor others by setting a standard of excellence in engineering judgment/design/implementation/testing.

Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of software development from concept to deployment, contributing high-quality, production-ready code.

Collaborate closely with product teams to define and implement effective solutions based on business needs and user feedback. Collaborate with a strong team and company stakeholders.

Work independently, take personal ownership of tasks and deliverables, while not neglecting teamwork and project communication.

Take on challenging and complex technical issues, applying your expertise to propose and implement robust, long-term solutions.

Support application deployments in the field for product testing and demonstrations; including live troubleshooting and analysis.

Uphold and raise the bar for high code quality and performance, conducting code reviews and optimizations to improve system efficiency and scalability.

Be vigilant and proactive in identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities.

Requirements 10+ Years Professional Development Experience; Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Software Engineering Expert-level C/C++ Experience. Experience with Embedded Linux.

Implement and maintain microcontroller firmware using Zephyr RTOS (or comparable RTOS), including board bring-up, device-tree configuration, peripheral driver integration, and real-time task design (threads, workqueues, interrupts, timers).

Proven track record of leading and delivering high-quality embedded software. Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.

Expertise in building and managing the Linux kernel, including configuration, customization, and optimization for specific hardware platforms.

Proficiency in developing and maintaining Linux device drivers, with a deep understanding of Linux kernel subsystems and hardware interaction.

Experience with kernel build environments and tools, capable of setting up and managing build systems for Linux kernel development.

Solid understanding of network programming, including proficiency in TCP/IP networking, network stack, and related communication protocols.

Knowledge of hardware-based software development; including the use of timers, interrupts, hardware peripherals such as SPI controllers and ADCs, and debug tools.

Experience with communication buses such as I2C, CAN, UART and SPI; along with devices that utilize them.

Demonstrated experience in hardware bring-up, including proficiency in troubleshooting and resolving hardware-related issues in embedded systems.

Ability to understand hardware design schematics and provide meaningful feedback to assist the hardware design process. Experience with JTAG and SWD standards.

Understanding of and experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and other related equipment.

Candidates with UAV aircraft, robotics development experience and/or hobby drone experience are highly preferred. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required.

Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 25 pounds.

Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment as well as various electronic power supplies and test equipment. Must be physically capable of the assigned duties.

Work Environment This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment.

This role requires use of standard office and manufacturing equipment and may require occasional travel to customer locations or facilities.

This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment.

This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross-differential collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities.

Standard work hours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand. Benefits PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities.

Benefits include: Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company. Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match. Paid Parental Leave. On-site gym at our Huntsville, AL location.

Employer provided life insurance. Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP). A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation. Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

EEO Statement PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws.

We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.