{"id":469520,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aerovironment-principal-software-engineer","title":"Principal Software Engineer","company":{"id":176366,"name":"AeroVironment","domain":"avinc.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/aerovironment","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":81,"open_postings":27,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.778,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":36,"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Simi Valley, United States","United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":147000,"max":224250,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":224250},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":12,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Amazon Kinesis","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"CMake","optional":false},{"name":"Docker","optional":false},{"name":"Fast DDS","optional":false},{"name":"GitLab","optional":false},{"name":"gRPC","optional":false},{"name":"Kotlin","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"MQTT","optional":false},{"name":"Windows","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-03T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-03","last_verified_at":"2026-11-05T20:56:17Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":63,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":63},"description":"Worker Type\nRegularJob Description\nSummary\nAs a Principal Software Enginee r at AV, you’ll develop software to control advanced robotic platforms from AV and industry leaders including Boston Dynamics, Red Cat, FLIR, Skydio, QinetiQ, Parrot, and more. You’ll play a key role in developing Kinesis, our flagship software ecosystem that enables users to collaboratively control a diverse set of robots.\nThis role is ideal for engineers who take ownership, enjoy working hands-on with hardware, and bring structure and clarity to complex systems. You’ll be trusted to move quickly, make sound decisions, and continuously improve our product and execution.\nPosition Responsibilities:\nSoftware development in support of AV’s vision-based navigation, autonomy, cooperative behaviors, and mission systems technology roadmap.\n\nDrive technical direction and architectural decisions across the Kinesis ecosystem.\n\nDesign, implement, and integrate systems in C++ and Kotlin.\n\nDevelop cross-platform applications for Android, Linux, and Windows to control robotic platforms.\n\nDesign SDK interfaces for internal and external integration with AV systems.\n\nServe as a technical lead for customer programs.\n\nPerform hands-on field testing with robots to validate new features.\n\nDelivers work on time according to agreed completion dates and project schedule & budget.\n\nSupports and derives algorithm design from detailed software requirements.\n\nWorks closely with multiple teams of software developers reusing developed software to support different programs.\n\nOperates in a continuous learning environment and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.\n\nWorks on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles.\n\nActs independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments.\n\nOccasional travel for customer or testing events.\n\nOther duties as assigned.\n\nBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):\nBachelor’s 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.\n\nStrong fluency in modern C++, maintainable software architecture, and modular system design\n\nExperience evaluating product design tradeoffs and translating them into clear system requirements\n\nHands-on knowledge of CMake or similar build systems\n\nExperience developing software for mechatronic or hardware-integrated systems\n\nKnowledge of computer networking topologies, protocols, and principles\n\nFamiliarity with safety critical software concepts such as determinism and real-time systems\n\nSelf-directed engineer who takes ownership and brings structure to complex systems\n\nAbility to engage directly with technical and non-technical customers\n\nAbility to leverage AI tooling to improve engineering productivity and code quality\n\nExperience tasking and mentoring small engineering teams\n\nAbility to obtain a US DoD Secret clearance if required\n\nWillingness to travel locally (Occasionally)\n\nOther Qualifications & Desired Competencies:\nAdvanced degree is preferred\n\nExperience with UAS, drones, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other embedded systems\n\nExperience with CI/CD pipelines (Gitlab or similar)\n\nAndroid/Linux application development experience\n\nExperience with Docker\n\nExperience with FastDDS, gRPC, MQTT, or similar networking protocols\n\nExperience designing and delivering APIs and SDKs to third-party developers\n\nDemonstrates leadership skills and sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions\n\nDemonstrates effective listening, questioning, clarifying and summarizing skills to effectively communicate in one-on-one and small group settings\n\nDemonstrates understanding of system design that one is working on and understands the role that assigned tasks play in the system\n\nAble to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties\n\nDisplays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives\n\nTakes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products\n\nIs committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company\n\nHas effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills\n\nFocuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests\n\nPhysical Demands:\nAbility to work in an office environment (Constant)\n\nRequired to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)\n\nSpecial Requirements:\nU.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.\n\nOccasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.\n\nClearance Level\nNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:\n$147,000 - $224,250AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.\nITAR Requirement:\nThis 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 AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s 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.\nBenefits: 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: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.\nWe also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.\nPrincipals only need apply. NO agencies please.\nAbout AV:\nAV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.\nWe don’t just build defense technology-we redefine what’s 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.\nFounded 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 Smithsonian-but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.\nIf you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there’s no better place to do it than AV.\nWe 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 data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.\nITAR\nU.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.","description_format":"text","description_chars":8150,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":12,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Continuous learning"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Military","Drones & UAVs","Military Drones","Defense Manufacturing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-06T13:02:54Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":19,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.523,"p_room":0.36,"age_days":63,"expected_fill_days":36,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":224250,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/aerovironment-principal-software-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/aerovironment-principal-software-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-05T21:49:07Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2141,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-06T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":176366},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=176366"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Faerovironment-principal-software-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Faerovironment-principal-software-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Faerovironment-principal-software-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/aerovironment-principal-software-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Faerovironment-principal-software-engineer"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":469520}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"avinc.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":469520},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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