Platform Software Engineer, Senior

Job Title

Platform Software Engineer, Senior

Role Summary

Senior individual-contributor responsible for designing, implementing, integrating, and debugging low-level Linux-based platform software for embedded systems used across satellite, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular domains. Works directly with hardware prototypes, embedded processors, and lab equipment to enable product capabilities for government, law enforcement, and commercial customers.

This role owns complex platform components and interfaces, drives platform design and implementation, and provides technical mentorship through code and design reviews. Not a people-management role.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 8+ years of relevant embedded or platform software development experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities focus on low-level embedded Linux platform software and hardware/software integration.

• Design, implement, and maintain low-level platform software for Linux-based embedded systems (C).
• Bring up and integrate hardware prototypes, peripherals, and chip-level interfaces; debug at the hardware/software boundary.
• Develop and maintain kernel-adjacent software, device interfaces, boot flow, and system configuration as needed.
• Debug system-level issues across application, OS, drivers, and hardware interfaces; perform root-cause analysis.
• Create and execute test strategies for functionality, performance, and regression verification.
• Optimize software for performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, systems, test, and product teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Participate in code and design reviews and mentor peers on engineering best practices.
• Own tasks from definition through implementation, verification, and issue resolution.
• Support lab-based debugging using serial consoles, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG, or similar tools.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and security eligibility; preferred items listed separately.

• Strong C programming skills in Linux/Unix environments and experience developing for embedded Linux targets (not just host development).
• Experience with Linux-based development environments (e.g., Ubuntu) and embedded toolchains/cross-compilation.
• Multithreaded software design, debugging, and performance analysis experience.
• Experience with low-level software interacting with hardware interfaces and peripherals; familiarity with I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO, USB, PCIe, or similar.
• Networking programming experience.
• Experience with ARM-based or comparable embedded processor platforms.
• Scripting for automation and tooling (Python, Shell, AWK, Lua, or similar).
• Experience using source control in collaborative teams and strong debugging/root-cause analysis skills across software/hardware boundaries.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex technical tasks and ability to work effectively in small, fast-paced teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. U.S. Citizenship required per ITAR/EAR obligations.

• Linux kernel internals, driver integration, or kernel-adjacent debugging experience.
• Bootloader, board support package, device-tree, or embedded platform bring-up experience; PetaLinux familiarity.
• Experience with AMD/Xilinx SoC platforms and FPGA software integration.
• Experience with performance analysis tools and lab debug equipment.
• Experience with wireless, satellite, Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, or cellular technologies and mission-critical/defense environments.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field is required; an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable. Advanced degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.

About the Company

Company: AeroVironment

Headquarters: Simi Valley, California, United States

AeroVironment is a U.S.-based developer of unmanned aircraft systems and autonomous technologies for defense and commercial applications. The company produces drones, loitering munitions, and advanced autonomy solutions across air, land, sea, and space, and provides engineering and integration services for military and aerospace customers.