Embedded Software Engineer – Autonomous Systems

Description Location: This position is on-site in Salt Lake City, Utah. Relocation assistance is available.

Palladyne AI (NASDAQ: PDYN) is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop, integrate, and optimize C++ software for embedded Linux systems supporting autonomous systems.

This is a hands-on embedded systems engineering role requiring more than strong C++ programming skills. You'll develop software running on embedded Linux platforms, solve complex multithreading and interprocess communication challenges, optimize system-level performance, and troubleshoot integration issues across software, operating systems, and physical hardware.

You'll work across the software lifecycle, from development and testing through integration and deployment, collaborating with engineering teams to make sophisticated autonomous capabilities work reliably on physical systems.

Palladyne AI is a U.S.-based defense and industrial technology company that delivers embodied AI-powered collaborative autonomy solutions, advanced avionics, precision-manufactured components, UAVs, and advanced aerospace design services.

What You'll Do

• Independently design, develop, and maintain embedded Linux software using modern C++ for Palladyne AI's Pilot and SwarmOS products.
• Develop reliable, multithreaded software that meets performance, security, reliability, and timing requirements on embedded robotic platforms.
• Drive software and hardware integration efforts, diagnosing and resolving technical issues across embedded Linux environments, operating systems, communications, and physical systems.
• Develop and troubleshoot interprocess communication, networking, and embedded systems communications that enable software components to interact reliably.
• Debug, integrate, and validate software directly on physical hardware, working closely with hardware and other engineering teams to identify root causes and resolve technical issues.
• Implement system-level functionality using Linux and UNIX programming interfaces, including processes, threads, file systems, and database connections.
• Diagnose and optimize system-level performance, concurrency, and timing behavior to support reliable operation on embedded robotic platforms.
• Design and document maintainable, object-oriented C++ software and develop test plans to validate functionality, reliability, and performance.
• Independently investigate complex technical problems and drive solutions through development, integration, testing, and deployment.
• Collaborate across software, hardware, and other engineering disciplines to support the integration and deployment of autonomous systems to customer sites.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant software engineering experience, including embedded or systems software development.
• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering.
• Strong proficiency in modern C++, including multithreading, smart pointers, containers, memory management, and object-oriented programming.
• Hands-on professional experience developing, integrating, and debugging software running on embedded Linux systems.
• Experience integrating software with physical hardware and troubleshooting issues involving software behavior, operating systems, communications, and hardware interfaces.
• Experience with Linux system-level programming, including UNIX system calls, processes, file systems, and interprocess communication.
• Experience developing and debugging multithreaded, concurrent, or timing-sensitive software.
• Experience diagnosing and optimizing system-level software performance.
• Experience using Git for software development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded software for robotic systems, autonomous platforms, UAVs, or industrial automation systems.
• Experience with embedded computing platforms supporting real-time, distributed, or autonomous systems.
• Experience developing software for systems operating with constrained or unreliable communications.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, and MAVLink.
• Experience with Gazebo and Unreal Engine.
• Experience building secure software systems.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation package, with an annual salary range of $115,000–$200,000+, depending on experience.
• 401(k) with 5% company match.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flex time off and 12 holidays.
• Professional development opportunities.

Work Authorization This position requires the ability to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship. Depending on the nature of the work, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required. Candidates may be asked to provide additional information relevant to clearance eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Fine Print No third-party candidates will be accepted. Palladyne AI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.