Software Engineer II (Applications)

Worker Type

Job Description

Summary

As a Software Engineer II (Applications) you will build mission systems software that flies on real uncrewed aircraft working alongside a small fast-moving team of engineers who love autonomy and robotics. This is a hands-on role for someone who wants real ownership of hard problems - designing developing and testing the software that powers vision-based navigation and autonomous flight and seeing it deployed on live systems.

Position Responsibilities:

• Design build and test onboard Linux software powering AVs vision-based navigation autonomy and mission systems for uncrewed aircraft
• Write software that integrates sensors processors and other robotics systems onto real aircraft - and see it fly
• Own features end to end: from design and implementation through automated testing and deployment
• Participate in software design reviews and contribute your ideas to how the team builds and ships
• Turn detailed software requirements and algorithm designs into working well-tested code
• Collaborate closely with other software developers reusing and improving shared software across multiple programs
• Learn fast in a hands-on environment with strong senior mentorship and level up quickly
• Tackle problems of moderate scope using good judgment to figure out the right approach
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

• Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Math or Physics or equivalent combination of education training and experience
• 2 - 5 years of software development experience or a strong track record of internships research personal projects or startup work. New and recent graduates from top programs are encouraged to apply
• Proficiency in C (C11/17) Python or C with a solid grasp of object-oriented design
• Comfortable developing on Linux
• Writes tests and debugs code; genuinely curious about how and why things work
• Familiarity with version control (git) and modern development tooling (IDEs debuggers CI/CD)
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills
• Willingness to travel locally (Occasionally)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies:

• Hands-on experience with UAS drones robotics autonomous vehicles or other embedded systems
• Exposure to computer vision machine learning or sensor integration on embedded systems
• Experience or strong interest in the Robot Operating System (ROS2) on Linux/ARM
• Familiarity with unit testing frameworks containerized development (Docker) and CI/CD workflows
• Embraces AI-assisted development tools (e.g. code generation review and debugging assistants) to write better software faster and to accelerate related engineering work
• Advanced degree is a plus
• Genuinely passionate about autonomous systems and writing great software - the kind of person who tinkers builds and cant stop learning
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment where a small team owns a broad variety of problems
• Takes ownership of their work and is driven to improve iterate and get better every day
• Strong problem-solving analytical and communication skills
• Collaborative and team-first and enjoys working through hard problems together

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
• Required to stand and sit 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) or asylee/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