{"id":692959,"url":"https://alion.io/job/zone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation","title":"Embedded Software Engineer III - PX4 Firmware & Simulation","company":{"id":684780,"name":"Zone 5 Technologies","domain":"zone5technologies.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/zone5technologies","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":93,"open_postings":62,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.081,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":114,"computed_at":"2026-10-13T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"middle","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Luis Obispo, United States","United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":100000,"max_usd":194000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":539},"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"CMake","optional":false},{"name":"Human-in-the-Loop","optional":false},{"name":"Inertial Navigation","optional":false},{"name":"MAVLink","optional":false},{"name":"PX4 Autopilot","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"ROS2","optional":false},{"name":"RTOS","optional":false},{"name":"Sensor Fusion","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-04-22T16:18:24Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-08","last_verified_at":"2026-10-13T06:20:30Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":173,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":1,"flags":[],"days_open":173},"description":"At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.\nWe're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.\nWe are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop and maintain custom PX4 autopilot firmware for autonomous aerial platforms. You will modify core flight control algorithms, integrate custom sensors and payloads, build simulation environments for hardware-in-the-loop testing, and ensure reliable operation in challenging mission profiles.\nResponsibilities:\nPX4 Firmware Development & Customization\nDevelop, modify, and maintain custom PX4 firmware modules for mission-specific requirements\nImplement custom flight modes, navigation algorithms, and control strategies\nIntegrate sensors, actuators, and payloads through PX4 driver and uORB message framework\nDebug firmware issues using GDB, serial consoles, and flight log analysis\nPatch and backport fixes across PX4 versions while maintaining stability\nBuild Systems & Toolchains\nMaintain build infrastructure using CMake, Make, and embedded toolchains\nConfigure cross-compilation environments for ARM Cortex-M target architectures\nManage firmware dependencies, submodules, and third-party libraries\nCreate reproducible build configurations and automate firmware generation pipelines\nSimulation & Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing\nDevelop and maintain SITL (Software-in-the-Loop) and HITL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) test environments\nIntegrate PX4 with physics-based simulation platforms for validation and regression testing\nCreate automated test scenarios to validate firmware changes before flight testing\nConfigure MAVLink communication interfaces for ground control and companion computer integration\nSystem Integration & Testing\nIntegrate PX4 with companion computers running ROS2-based autonomy stacks\nDevelop MAVLink and UART communication protocols between flight controller and edge compute modules\nSupport flight test operations including pre-flight checks, log collection, and post-flight analysis\nCollaborate with hardware, autonomy, and systems engineers to diagnose and resolve integration issues\nQualifications:\nBachelor's in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field - equivalent industry experience also welcome\n4-6+ years of experience in embedded software development with focus on real-time systems\nStrong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded systems programming\nHands-on experience with PX4 autopilot firmware architecture and development\nDeep understanding of build systems including CMake, Make, and embedded toolchains\nExperience with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers and embedded debugging tools\nSolid grasp of control theory, state estimation, and sensor fusion fundamentals\nUnderstanding of MAVLink protocol and communication with ground control stations\nExperience developing and maintaining simulation environments for embedded systems testing\nPreferred:\nExperience with multi-rotor or fixed-wing UAV flight dynamics and control\nFamiliarity with ROS2 and companion computer integration architectures\nKnowledge of Kalman filtering (EKF/UKF) and inertial navigation systems\nUnderstanding of safety-critical software development practices\nExperience with UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN bus protocols\nBackground in flight testing and airworthiness procedures\nKnowledge of RTOS concepts and real-time scheduling\nExperience with version control workflows for firmware development\nFamiliarity with Python for scripting, automation, and data analysis\nUnderstanding of power systems, motor control, and electronic speed controllers\nExperience with continuous integration systems for embedded firmware\nPay range for this role\n$148,000—$179,000 USD\nWhat's in it for you:\nBenefits: \nCompetitive total compensation package \nComprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.\n401k with company-match \n3 weeks of paid time off each year\n40 hours of sick time\n12 annual company holidays\nWhy Join Zone 5 Technologies?\nInnovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.\nCollaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.\nCareer Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.\nIf you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team! \nIn compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. \nZone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5415,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":4,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-11T01:26:29Z"},{"event":"close","at":"2026-10-01T03:00:34Z"},{"event":"reopen","at":"2026-10-08T19:01:55Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":21,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.59,"p_room":0.36,"age_days":173,"expected_fill_days":114,"reasons":["conf:2","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-10-13T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/zone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/zone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-13T07:15:46Z","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":10643,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-14T00:00:00Z"}},"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":684780},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=684780"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fzone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation"},{"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%2Fzone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation"},{"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%2Fzone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation"},{"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/zone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fzone5technologies-embedded-software-engineer-iii-px4-firmware-simulation"}]}