Senior Embedded Software Engineer

About the role

You will architect, implement, and maintain the embedded software stack that powers the hardware-in-the-loop and factory test systems for every Pivotal eVTOL aircraft. You will own the full lifecycle of these test systems from initial requirements capture through deployment, validation, and long-term maintenance in a high-velocity development environment. You will collaborate closely with hardware engineers, test engineers, and aircraft developers to ensure the test infrastructure accurately validates aircraft functionality and performance. Your work will directly influence the reliability and throughput of our manufacturing and verification processes for both current and next-generation aircraft. You will be responsible for writing robust, high-performance test execution frameworks that exercise aircraft subassemblies and complete vehicles in a deterministic manner. You will debug complex interactions between custom test hardware, aircraft interfaces, and automated test sequences to resolve issues before they impact production. You will contribute to the creation of reusable software components that standardize how test systems are built and integrated across multiple projects. You will help define the future state of test automation for Pivotal as we scale from prototype builds to high-volume production of the Helix aircraft.

Key facts

What you'll do

Design and develop embedded C software for automated test equipment that validates eVTOL aircraft subassemblies and complete vehicles.

Implement low-level drivers and hardware abstraction layers to interface with custom test fixtures, sensors, and actuators used in manufacturing validation.

Create deterministic test execution frameworks that run on embedded controllers and host workstations to verify aircraft functionality.

Collaborate with hardware engineers to design test boundary scans, in-circuit test routines, and automated check routines integrated into production lines.

Analyze test logs and diagnostic data to isolate root causes of failures in aircraft electrical systems or mechanical interfaces.

Maintain and extend software modules that support regression testing, enabling rapid identification of defects introduced by new builds or design changes.

Optimize test software for performance, stability, and scalability as production volumes increase and aircraft configurations multiply.

Partner with software and systems engineers to ensure test systems align with overall aircraft requirements, verification strategies, and quality objectives.

Integrate test software with continuous integration pipelines to automate the scheduling, execution, and reporting of verification suites.

Contribute to documentation and knowledge transfer materials that allow other engineers to understand, modify, and support the test systems independently.

Apply software engineering best practices such as version control, code reviews, and unit testing to the development of test infrastructure code.

Support on-site testing activities at partner facilities, applying your software expertise to troubleshoot issues in real-world aircraft environments.

Assist in the definition of test requirements and acceptance criteria for new aircraft features, ensuring testability is built in from the earliest design stages.

Learn and leverage Pivotal's proprietary test protocols, data formats, and tooling to maintain consistency across all test and manufacturing programs.

Requirements

Must have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Must possess 8+ years of professional experience developing embedded software for production systems, with a strong focus on C language proficiency.

Must have demonstrated experience writing software for automated test equipment, hardware validation systems, or production test infrastructure.

Must be comfortable developing and debugging software on resource-constrained embedded processors and real-time operating systems.

Must have a solid understanding of digital and analog electronics concepts as they relate to aircraft systems and test instrumentation.

Must have experience interfacing with sensors, actuators, and communication buses common in avionics and industrial test setups.

Must be proficient in reading and interpreting technical datasheets, schematics, and protocol specifications to integrate third-party hardware.

Must have strong debugging skills using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and other test instrumentation to diagnose hardware/software interactions.

Must be able to obtain and maintain US work authorization without sponsorship, as this role requires on-site presence at the Palo Alto location.

Must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident to meet US government export control and ITAR regulations for work on eVTOL programs.

Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams and document technical work.

Must be highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven aerospace environment.

Must be willing to occasionally travel within the United States for project work, testing, or training at customer or partner sites as required.

Must be able to pass a background check and meet the security requirements for handling sensitive aerospace technology and data.

Nice to have

Experience with avionics data buses such as CAN, MIL-STD-1553, or ARINC 429 is preferred.

Familiarity with simulation tools and hardware-in-the-loop test platforms is a plus.

Knowledge of compliance and verification processes for aviation or aerospace systems is advantageous.

Experience with version control systems such as Git and build tools for embedded C projects is preferred.

Understanding of software safety concepts and coding standards used in safety-critical aerospace applications is a bonus.

Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative development in a hardware-in-the-loop environment is valued.

Practical notes

This role requires on-site presence at the Pivotal facility in Palo Alto, California, and is not eligible for remote or hybrid arrangements.

Travel within the United States may be required for project work, testing, or training activities.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must meet all ITAR and US government export control requirements.

This position is full-time and classified as Exempt under applicable labor laws.