Principal Software Engineer

Worker Type

Job Description

Position Responsibilities:

• Software development in support of AVs vision-based navigation autonomy cooperative behaviors and mission systems technology roadmap.

• Drive technical direction and architectural decisions across the Kinesis ecosystem.

• Designimplement and integratesystemsin C and Kotlin.

• Developcross-platformapplicationsforAndroid Linux and Windowsto control robotic platforms.

• DesignSDK interfaces for internal and external integration with AV systems.

• Serve as a technical lead for customer programs.

• Performhands-onfieldtestingwith robots to validate new features.

• Delivers work on time according to agreed completion dates and project schedule & budget.

• Supports and derives algorithm design from detailed software requirements.

• Works closely with multiple teams of software developers reusing developed software to support different programs.

• Operates in a continuous learning environment and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.

• Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles.

• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments.

• Occasional travelforcustomer or testing events.

• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

• Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Math or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education training and experience with 12 years of relevant experience.

• Strong fluency in modern C maintainable software architecture and modular system design

• Experience evaluating product design tradeoffs and translating them into clear system requirements

• Hands-on knowledge of CMake or similar build systems

• Experience developing software for mechatronic or hardware-integrated systems

• Knowledge of computer networking topologies protocols and principles

• Familiarity with safety critical software concepts such as determinism and real-time systems

• Self-directed engineer who takes ownership and brings structure to complex systems

• Ability to engage directly with technical and non-technical customers

• Ability to leverage AI tooling to improve engineering productivity and code quality

• Experience tasking and mentoring small engineering teams

• Ability to obtain a US DoD Secret clearance if required

• Willingness to travel locally (Occasionally)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies:

• Advanced degree is preferred

• Experience with UAS drones robotics autonomous vehicles or other embedded systems

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (Gitlab or similar)

• Android/Linux application development experience

• Experience with Docker

• Experience with FastDDS gRPC MQTT or similar networking protocols

• Experience designing and delivering APIs and SDKs to third-party developers

• Demonstrates leadership skills andsound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions

• Demonstrateseffective listening questioning clarifying and summarizing skills to effectively communicate in one-on-one and small group settings

• Demonstrates understanding of system designthat one isworking on and understands the role that assigned tasks play in the system

• 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 ones own interests

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)

• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements:

• U.S. Citizen U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) orasylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.

• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the location the role and associated responsibilities a candidates work experience education/training and key skills.

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 AeroVironments determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironments 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. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isnt for everyone. We hire the curious the relentless the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We dont just build defense technologywe redefine whats 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 Smithsonianbut were not building history were building whats next.

If youre ready to build technology that matterswith speed scale and purposetheres no better place to do it than AV.

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 datasexual orientation gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR