Embedded Software Systems Engineer

Role Overview

Thunderstrike Aviation is seeking a senior Embedded Software Systems Engineer to lead and own the design, integration, and certification-ready implementation of onboard electrical and embedded systems. This role covers all systems and owns end-to-end hardware–software integration across avionics, sensors, propulsion, communications, payloads, and ground systems, with direct responsibility for flight-critical reliability, safety, and airworthiness.

You will lead embedded computing, firmware, power architecture, and harnessing, working closely with flight operations, systems engineering, and integration & test to deliver robust, mission-ready aircraft systems. As the company has reached a scale-up phase, one should expect that scope and responsibilities will grow and evolve over time, and that trust, ownership and autonomy are key to succeeding in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Embedded Computing & Software

• Own onboard mission computing platforms, operating systems (Linux / Windows), low-level drivers, middleware, containerization, and data logging.
• Develop, integrate, and maintain embedded firmware for flight-critical and mission-critical subsystems.
• Define and maintain system APIs, data flows, and interface contracts (ICDs).
• Support pilots and flight engineers in autopilot configuration and programming.

Hardware–Software Integration

• Lead integration of autopilots, sensors, payloads, radios, and mission systems.
• Drive hardware–software bring-up, debugging, and validation across subsystems.
• Integrate SATCOM and LOS communication links, delivering pinouts, schematics, and harness documentation.

Electrical & Power Systems

• Support onboard power architecture, power distribution, and budgeting.
• Design and manage harnessing, routing, shielding, grounding, and connector selection.
• Assess and mitigate EMI/EMC risks across avionics and payload systems.
• Manage thermal considerations under peak and steady-state operating conditions.

Safety, Security & Quality

• Implement safety-critical design principles including redundancy, watchdogs, and failover strategies.
• Apply embedded cybersecurity best practices: secure boot, firmware signing, encryption, and access control.
• Enforce coding standards, static analysis, code reviews, and configuration control.
• Produce and maintain engineering documentation including ICDs, wiring diagrams, BOMs, and test artifacts.
• Contribute to system safety documentation such as Fault Hazard Analyses (FHA) and System Safety Assessments (SSA).

Integration & Test

• Support Integration & Test (I&T) activities, including design and development of Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test benches.
• Support verification, validation, and readiness for flight testing and operational deployment.

Required Experience & Background

• 5–10+ years of experience in embedded hardware/software integration (avionics or UAV experience strongly preferred).
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and scripting languages (e.g., Python).
• Hands-on experience with CAN, UART, Ethernet, and common embedded bus protocols.
• Experience developing low-level drivers and integrating embedded peripherals.
• Proven experience with embedded Linux and Windows on mission computers.
• Demonstrated experience with harness design, power budgeting, and EMI/EMC best practices.
• Familiarity with safety-critical development environments (STANAGs, EASA, DO-178/DO-254 or equivalent).
• Experience implementing embedded cybersecurity controls.

Highly Desirable

• Autopilot programming experience, particularly with Embention Veronte systems.
• Experience integrating embedded datalink hardware and managing RF constraints.

Qualifications

• Relevant engineering degree or equivalent professional experience expected.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English

Core Skills

• Embedded C/C++, Python, scripting
• Embedded Linux / Windows
• CAN, UART, Ethernet, and peripheral driver development
• Safety-critical and secure embedded systems
• Engineering documentation, configuration management, and code review processes

Why should you join Thunderstrike Aviation?

• Become a UAV Pioneer – Be part of a company at the forefront of next-generation unmanned aerial systems.
• Own the Full System – End-to-end responsibility for mission computing, power architecture, and flight-critical integration.
• Direct Flight Impact – Your work directly affects aircraft reliability, safety, and mission performance.
• Senior Technical Authority – Shape system architecture, safety design, and embedded cybersecurity.

Apply here: Embedded Software Systems Engineer | Thunderstrike Aviation | LinkedIn