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Head of Avionics

Oxnard, California, United States

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results. 

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic. 

As Head of Avionics at Swarm Aero, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of autonomous aviation. You will be at the forefront of designing, integrating, and supporting advanced avionics systems and ground control functionalities for our cutting-edge uncrewed aircraft. Joining our innovative team, you will contribute to developing and deploying the Command & Control software to mobilize large swarms of heterogeneous autonomous assets, enabling unprecedented capabilities in aerial operations.

Your primary responsibilities will include architecting avionics systems, developing embedded software, and supporting mission-critical real-time and non-real-time environments. You will also work on novel sensing technologies, networking functions, and ensuring rigorous testing and verification of our avionics components. Your expertise in embedded systems programming, combined with your passion for cross-disciplinary communication, will be essential in creating reliable and high-performance solutions.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work alongside industry veterans from leading aerospace companies, leveraging your experience and skills to push the boundaries of what is possible in autonomous flight and swarming technologies. If you are excited by challenging problems and driven to achieve technological breakthroughs, we invite you to join us in redefining air power.

What you'll do:

  • Collaborate with the team to architect avionics systems, autonomy, and ground control functions for large uncrewed aircraft.
  • Design, integrate, and support embedded systems in both real-time and non-real-time environments, for ground and aerial applications.
  • Develop and support systems delivering autonomy, novel sensing capabilities, and networking functions.
  • Define and implement architectures for software- and hardware-in-the-loop testing on avionics components.
  • Develop simulation models and verify software components to ensure reliability and performance.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in embedded systems development, avionics, or related fields.
  • Proficiency in C,C++, Rust, or other systems programming languages.
  • Familiarity with the toolchains, hardware constraints, and design philosophies for embedded systems.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a passion for cross-disciplinary communication.
  • Interest in design-for-explainability, particularly for high-assurance systems subject to certification requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with a major microcontroller or microprocessor family.
  • Experience in reverse-engineering.
  • Expertise in build infrastructure.
  • Experience in robotics and automation (virtual, terrestrial, or aerial).
  • Knowledge of network routing and switching.
  • Experience with Modular Open-Source Architecture components and systems.
  • Understanding of hardware security modules and related components.

What we Offer:

  • Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company
  • Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
  • Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k
  • PTO and Paid Sick Time
  • Monthly Wellness Stipend
  • Daily catered lunch to office
  • Paid Parental leave
  • Flexible work arrangement - remote/hybrid with regular collaboration in Oxnard
  • Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security
  • World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems

Compensation Range:

  • $200,000 - $250,000 + Equity 

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and trustworthy work environment, Swarm Aero conducts a thorough screening of prospective employees. Candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background verification process as a prerequisite for employment.

To conform to U.S. Government controlled technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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