Senior Embedded Systems Software Engineer

Aerospace is at a turning point - costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can’t keep up. At Neon Aero, we’re breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.

Here, you won’t just take a job - you’ll help reinvent how the world flies. If you’re ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Neon Aero is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems Software Engineer with strong systems intuition and a passion for building robust, safety-critical control software to work onsite in Irvine, Ca. This role sits at the intersection of embedded platform software, and system-level control logic owning the supervisory control layers that coordinate actuators, motor drives, and flight-level systems.

You will architect and implement system control logic, state machines, sequencing, diagnostics, and communication interfaces that ensure safe, deterministic operation across complex aerospace systems. While this role interfaces closely with actuator control, BMS, and vehicle control software, its primary focus is system behavior, integration, and correctness…not fast inner-loop control.

This role defines how complex control systems behave as a whole. Your work ensures that motors, actuators, power, and climate systems operate coherently, safely, and predictably under all conditions. You’ll have deep technical ownership and influence system architecture decisions. Play a key role in bringing flight-ready control systems from concept to deployment.

Why This Role Matters

System Control Architecture & Logic

• Design and own system-level control architecture spanning actuator control, power sequencing, and operational state management.
• Develop supervisory logic, state machines, and mode management that coordinate lower-level motor control, embedded platform software, and hardware subsystems.
• Define and implement safe power-up, power-down, input processing, fault response, and degraded operating modes consistent with system safety assessments and aerospace certification requirements.

Embedded Software Development

• Develop and maintain embedded software in C/C++ or MATLAB/Simulink on real-time microcontroller platforms (e.g., TIC2000, NXP, or comparable safety-oriented MCUs).
• Architect scalable and maintainable software frameworks supporting control execution, communication, diagnostics, and monitoring.
• Work across BSPs, middleware, and application layers to ensure deterministic behavior and system robustness.

System Interfaces & Communication

• Define, implement, and document system interfaces between controllers, subsystems, and external equipment.
• Author and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for communication protocols such as CAN (including safety-oriented profiles), ARINC825, and other aerospace or automotive buses.
• Ensure reliable data exchange, arbitration, and fault handling across system boundaries.

Model-Based Design & Validation

• Use MATLAB/Simulink to develop and validate system-level control logic, sequencing, and coordination strategies.
• Support model-based design workflows spanning MIL, SIL, and HILenvironments.
• Leverage simulation and lab data to validate system behavior across nominal, corner-case, and fault scenarios.

Integration, Test & Bring-Up

• Lead system-level integration activities across motor control, BMS, sensors, and vehicle control software.
• Support hardware bring-up, HILtesting, and lab validation, diagnosing issues that span software, hardware, and system interactions.
• Develop test strategies, automation hooks, and data analysis workflows to ensure repeatable verification.

Safety, Process & Lifecycle Support

• Support development of safety-critical embedded software by following disciplined software development processes.
• Contribute to requirements definition, traceability, verification planning, and certification readiness activities aligned with standards such as DO-178C, ARP4754/4761, or equivalent safety frameworks.
• Maintain configuration control and long-term maintainability of system software artifacts.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience developing embedded control software for complex real-time systems
• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ and real-time software architecture
• Experience designing system-level control logic, state machines, and sequencing
• Hands-on experience with communication protocols such as CAN (and derivatives), SPI, Ethernet, or ARINC(825/664)
• Experience with model-based design tools (MATLAB/Simulink) and SIL/HILtesting
• Proven ability to integrate and debug software across hardware, firmware, and system boundaries
• Strong analytical skills and system-level problem-solving ability

Preferred / Bonus Experience

• Experience with TIC2000, NXP, or similar real-time control microcontrollers
• Prior work on safety-critical or regulated systems (aerospace, automotive, industrial)
• Exposure to certification-oriented development processes (DO-178C, ARP4754/4761, ISO 26262 concepts)
• Experience defining software architectures and development processes for growing teams
• Background spanning motor control, BMS, or vehicle control systems
• Experience supporting production launch, field issues, and system-level validation

Why Join Neon

• Work alongside elite engineering talent and innovators from across aerospace and tech.
• Build the foundations of a digital-first aerospace company.
• Work at the cutting edge of model-based engineering and digital thread integration.
• Gain direct exposure to every phase of aerospace product development, from customer requirements through certification, and grow into technical leadership as the company scales.
• Competitive compensation - including equity participation, growth opportunities, and full benefits (health, dental, vision, 401k) designed to support you in and out of work

This is the expected compensation range for this role. Final compensation will be based on role scope, experience, skills, internal equity and location. This role may also be eligible for bonus/equity/benefits, if applicable.

$150,000—$200,000 USD

Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.

At this time, Neon Aero and its divisions are not accepting unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies.