- Robot type
- Drone · Defense
- Location
- Simi ValleyCaliforniaUSA
- Job type
- Software
- Posted
- Sep 2, 2026
- Salary
- $147,000–$224,250 a year
Full-time
Principal Software Engineer
Job description
As a Principal Software Enginee r at AV, you’ll develop software to control advanced robotic platforms from AV and industry leaders including Boston Dynamics, Red Cat, FLIR, Skydio, QinetiQ, Parrot, and more. You’ll play a key role in developing Kinesis, our flagship software ecosystem that enables users to collaboratively control a diverse set of robots.
This role is ideal for engineers who take ownership, enjoy working hands-on with hardware, and bring structure and clarity to complex systems. You’ll be trusted to move quickly, make sound decisions, and continuously improve our product and execution.
AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed.
Job responsibilities
- Software development in support of AV’s vision-based navigation, autonomy, cooperative behaviors, and mission systems technology roadmap.
- Drive technical direction and architectural decisions across the Kinesis ecosystem.
- Design, implement, and integrate systems in C++ and Kotlin.
- Develop cross-platform applications for Android, Linux, and Windows to control robotic platforms.
- Design SDK interfaces for internal and external integration with AV systems.
- Serve as a technical lead for customer programs.
- Perform hands-on field testing with robots to validate new features.
- Delivers work on time according to agreed completion dates and project schedule & budget.
Job requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience with 12+ years of relevant experience.
- Strong fluency in modern C++, maintainable software architecture, and modular system design
- Experience evaluating product design tradeoffs and translating them into clear system requirements
- Hands-on knowledge of CMake or similar build systems
- Experience developing software for mechatronic or hardware-integrated systems
- Knowledge of computer networking topologies, protocols, and principles
- Familiarity with safety critical software concepts such as determinism and real-time systems
- Self-directed engineer who takes ownership and brings structure to complex systems