PteroDynamics Inc. Software Engineer Colorado Springs, CO · Full time Company website

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PteroDynamics is a pioneer in autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft and inventor of the Transwing VTOL system that overcomes the inherent shortcomings of current VTOL aircraft by combining the speed, range, endurance, and payload capacity of a fixed-wing airplane with superior VTOL performance in a simple, efficient autonomous UAS platform.

PteroDynamics Inc. designs superior autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems that fly faster and go farther to reach remote locations without runways, even in harsh conditions. PteroDynamics’ Transwing® aircraft is unlike any other VTOL system, performing like a great fixed-wing aircraft with superb VTOL capabilities. Transwing aircraft unfold their wings to transition smoothly and quickly between vertical and horizontal flight, overcoming limitations inherent in other VTOL designs by combining the speed, range, and endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with superior VTOL performance in an efficient, highly automated platform. The Transwing is ideal for automating time-sensitive delivery of critical high-value payloads to hard-to-reach locations, including maritime logistics support, payload delivery to remote locations without airstrips, and reconnaissance and surveillance. Seeing is believing. Visit PteroDynamics.com for details and videos. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop, integrate, test, and maintain software for Transwing® aircraft systems, ground systems, embedded computing platforms, test equipment, and supporting engineering tools.
• Support technical delivery of embedded software applications through concept design, development, integration, validation, verification, release, and operational support.
• Develop embedded software and firmware using C, C++, and related languages for avionics, sensors, actuators, communications, control interfaces, and aircraft system components.
• Support low-level software development and debugging for microcontrollers, embedded processors, real-time systems, and hardware interfaces.
• Develop and maintain back-end software services, APIs, databases, data pipelines, telemetry tools, and internal software infrastructure supporting aircraft testing and operations.
• Develop and improve front-end user interfaces for ground control, test operations, data review, configuration management, system monitoring, and internal engineering workflows.
• Conduct software testing in hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop environments, including test planning, test execution, test automation, instrumentation, data capture, and anomaly investigation.
• Troubleshoot software anomalies discovered during system integration, lab testing, flight testing, demonstrations, and flight operations.
• Analyze flight test, bench test, and operational data using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools to identify trends, diagnose root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Design, develop, test, and support software for various embedded and general-purpose computing platforms.
• Support system and subsystem requirements capture by interfacing with suppliers, engineering team members, flight test personnel, operators, and other stakeholders.
• Provide software engineering support for system integration across aircraft hardware, avionics, payloads, communications systems, ground support equipment, and external systems.
• Participate in software architecture development, requirements definition, design reviews, code reviews, interface control, verification planning, and release readiness reviews.
• Develop scripts, automated tests, simulations, dashboards, and analysis tools to accelerate software validation, regression testing, troubleshooting, and engineering decision-making.
• Generate and maintain technical documentation including software requirements, design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), test procedures, test reports, release notes, anomaly reports, and verification artifacts.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—flight test, GNC, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, operations, suppliers, and program management—to resolve integration issues and improve system performance.
• Follow disciplined software development, version control, release management, documentation, configuration management, and software quality practices.
• Travel occasionally to support flight testing, supplier activities, or other relevant needs.  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Embedded Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3–5 years of professional software engineering experience, preferably in aviation, UAS, robotics, automotive, defense, or another complex hardware/software environment.
• Hands-on experience developing, testing, integrating, and troubleshooting software that interacts with real hardware.
• Experience with embedded software or firmware development using C and/or C++.
• Broad software experience spanning at least several of the following: embedded software/firmware, back-end software, front-end user interfaces, test automation, data analysis coding, and system integration.
• Experience conducting hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, bench, lab, or system integration testing.
• Proficiency in one or more additional programming, scripting, or analysis languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript/TypeScript, or similar.
• Ability to translate between protocols such as STANAG 4586, DroneCAN, COT, and proprietary protocols.
• Experience using software version control, issue tracking, code review, build, test, and release management tools.
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex software and system-level anomalies using logs, telemetry, instrumentation, test data, and structured root-cause analysis.
• Strong analytical, communication, writing, presentation, and documentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced R&D or startup environment with novel technologies, changing priorities, and a high level of uncertainty.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to solve problems under own initiative.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status required.
• Ability to work on-site in Colorado Springs, CO.  

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience with UAS, aviation, autonomous vehicles, flight test, robotics, or other safety-critical systems.
• Experience with RTCA DO-178C, TSO-C153a, or other aviation software, hardware, or system assurance standards.
• Familiarity with ARM microcontrollers, RISC architectures, embedded processors, and low-level hardware interfaces.
• Experience with assembly language, embedded debugging, hardware bring-up, bootloaders, device drivers, or board support packages.
• Familiarity with IEEE 802.1 Time Sensitive Networking, deterministic networking, avionics networks, vehicle networks, or real-time communications.
• Understanding of motor control schemes, actuator control, or related embedded control applications.
• Experience with radio frequency embedded software design, communications systems, telemetry, datalinks, or wireless system integration.
• Experience with embedded Linux, real-time operating systems, microcontrollers, flight controllers, autopilots, or safety-critical embedded platforms.
• Familiarity with aviation software lifecycle practices, requirements traceability, verification, validation, configuration management, and software quality assurance.
• Experience developing or supporting ground control software, mission planning tools, operator interfaces, or flight operations tools.
• Experience with cloud services, databases, APIs, dashboards, data visualization, or operational software infrastructure.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity, secure software development, or software safety practices.
• Comfortable working across prototype development, lab testing, flight test, and operational support.
• Bias toward experimental validation, rapid iteration, disciplined troubleshooting, and practical engineering solutions.  

Key Attributes for Success

• Hands-on, practical problem solver who is comfortable working directly with aircraft hardware, lab equipment, embedded systems, and test data.
• Strong system-level intuition across software, hardware, controls, avionics, communications, and flight operations.
• Clear, disciplined, and quantitative approach to debugging, testing, verification, and documentation.
• Collaborative, proactive communicator across technical domains.
• Ability to prioritize effectively and make progress despite ambiguity.
• High ownership mindset and willingness to support urgent integration, test, and flight operations needs.
• Ability to thrive in an agile, experimental environment.
• Strong technical curiosity and willingness to work across embedded software, full-stack tools, test systems, and data analysis as needed. 

Company Values

• People
• Excellence
• Accountability
• Knowledge

People: We value relationships with our colleagues and customers while embracing and upholding the worth of every individual

• Trust - we push down responsibility in decision making to the lowest level that makes sense, while maintaining accountability
• Respect - we always maintain respect for ourselves and others
• Communication - we encourage open communication and respect for all perspectives
• Enjoyment - together, we create an environment that is fun and enjoyable

Excellence: We have a mindset of excellence at all times

• Pursuit of Excellence - we are passionate about our work and strive for superior outcomes at all times
• Incremental Approach to Success - We agree that bringing our best each day is important and that incremental improvement matters
• Willingness to listen and learn - we believe success requires remaining humble, having an open mind, and listening to constructive input
• Coaching - being a great teammate includes a willingness to be coached and taking the time to help others achieve excellence
• Measuring Success - we measure our success not only by how much money we make but also by the satisfaction of our workforce and the value of the solutions we bring to the world

Accountability: We believe the foundation of trust is accountability

• Collaboration - we recognize that our success depends on how well we work together
• Personal Responsibility - we believe in holding ourselves accountable, starting with self-accountability, and including accountability to co-workers/teammates, and ultimately to our customers and our shareholders
• Consistency - our happiness, productivity and ultimate success all require consistency from subordinates and managers alike
• Professionalism - we believe that our attitude and approach to our work and how we handle ourselves are crucial and will be recognized by our peers and our customers
• Courage - we do what is right and are not tempted to create shortcuts, avoid hard work, or do the wrong thing because it is easy or expeditious
• Merit - hard work is recognized and rewarded 

Knowledge: We believe that innovation and success depend on gaining, documenting and sharing knowledge

• Knowledge Gain - we remain inquisitive and seek data and information to gain and build knowledge
• Knowledge Sharing - we believe in the open sharing of information rather than having it exist in silos`
• Knowledge Documentation - we believe that insights gained during the process of research and development and from feedback from customers and other stakeholders must be documented so that others may understand and build upon those insights
• Customer Needs - we can only provide a superior solution if we truly understand the needs and requirements of our customers

What We Offer

At PteroDynamics, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of aerial technology through creativity and innovation. The company offers a comprehensive compensation package, which includes a competitive salary, stock options, company-sponsored medical insurance, dental, vision, term life insurance with an AD&D rider, 401(k) plan with up to 3% matching by the company, long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, paid sick time, and a collaborative inclusive working environment in an exciting, growing startup company. 

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

PteroDynamics is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable. If you're ready to join us in reshaping the future of UAVs, we encourage you to apply for this position and bring your unique technical brilliance to our team.