Senior Software Engineer, Platform

Position Summary

The Senior Software Engineer, Platform at FlightWave Aerospace will own the development and sustainment of the C++ application core across the Edge130 UAS platform. This role focuses on building and maintaining robust, high-performance software that powers our autonomy, perception, and mission-critical systems. The ideal candidate is a C++ expert with experience in multithreaded applications, large codebases, and platform-level engineering in robotics or aerospace environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain C++ application code for the Edge130 platform.
• Work within a large, modular codebase, ensuring maintainability, performance, and scalability.
• Implement and optimize multithreaded, real-time components for flight-critical systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (controls, perception, avionics, ground systems) to ensure seamless platform integration.
• Support both sustainment engineering (bug fixes, refactoring, reliability improvements) and new feature development.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of coding standards, CI/CD pipelines, and build/test infrastructure.
• Review code and mentor junior engineers in C++ best practices, performance profiling, and debugging.
• Participate in new product introduction (NPI) efforts, ensuring platform readiness and software scalability.
• Document designs, APIs, and workflows to ensure clarity and consistency across the engineering team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• Expert-level C++ (C++17/20) proficiency with deep knowledge of memory management, concurrency, and object-oriented design.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, preferably in robotics, aerospace, or other high-reliability embedded platforms.
• Strong background in multithreaded and real-time applications.
• Experience working in and scaling large C++ codebases.
• Hands-on experience with cross-compilers and embedded ARM platforms.
• Proficiency with build systems (CMake, Bazel, or equivalent) and version control (Git).
• Strong debugging, profiling, and performance optimization skills.
• Effective communicator and collaborator in cross-functional engineering environments.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience with robotics frameworks (e.g., ROS/ROS2).
• Familiarity with Conan or other C++ package management tools.
• Experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms and GPU-accelerated development.
• Knowledge of networking protocols, middleware, and distributed systems in real-time robotics.
• Background in hardware/software integration, particularly for UAVs or autonomous platforms.
• Exposure to GPU programming (CUDA), computer vision, or sensor fusion.
• Experience supporting software sustainment for long-lifecycle aerospace/defense products.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to walk, stand, and navigate large indoor and outdoor facilities for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials and equipment weighing up to 25 lbs on a regular basis.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required in designated areas or when performing specific tasks, in accordance with safety protocols and company policy.
• May be required to climb ladders, stoop, kneel, or crouch during inspections, maintenance walk-throughs, or emergency response situations.
• Regular exposure to facility operations including noise, dust, temperature fluctuations, and industrial equipment.
• Occasional off-hours or weekend work required for emergency facility responses or projects as needed
• Requires frequent use of a computer and other standard office equipment for documentation, communication, and coordination tasks.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Compensation: $132k - $176k, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.