Senior Embedded Systems Engineer – Verification & Validation Focus
Palo Alto, CA
Engineering – Aircraft Software /
Full-time (Exempt) /
On-site
Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.
Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been in development, preparing to enter the market for over 10 years. We recently announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, planned for general release and scalable production in 2025.
Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of technology investment today. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. We invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.
Pivotal is designing and delivering the next generation of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Our mission is to make personal flight accessible, practical, and safe. As we expand our production and certification efforts, we are looking for experienced embedded software engineers who thrive in safety-critical environments and want to help define the future of aviation.
We are seeking an Embedded Systems Software Engineer to lead and contribute to the development, integration, and rigorous verification of safety-critical flight software. You will work across low-level hardware interfaces, embedded operating systems, and avionics networks to support flight control, propulsion management, and system safety. This role is especially suited for engineers with a strong background in DO-178C compliance, embedded V&V testing, and real-time operating systems.
Responsibilities
- Develop, test, and maintain embedded software in C/C++, Rust, and/or Ada for safety-critical systems on custom avionics and powertrain hardware.
- Design and implement real-time control logic for propulsion, thermal management, and power distribution systems.
- Execute full life-cycle development from software architecture and requirements to integration, test, and certification artifacts.
- Author and maintain certification-compliant software documentation, including Software Verification Cases & Procedures (SVCP), Software Configuration Management Plans (SCMP), and Requirements Traceability Matrices (RTM).
- Develop and execute unit tests, integration tests, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tests, and automated regression tests.
- Integrate and debug software on RTOS and embedded Linux platforms; perform kernel-level diagnostics and performance optimization.
- Support flight test operations through rapid diagnostics, telemetry toolchains, and field-deployable updates.
- Collaborate with systems, electrical, and GNC teams to ensure clean interfaces and complete system-level validation.
- Drive rigorous software verification and validation strategies aligned with DO-178C and ARP4754A processes.
- Lead or contribute to software reviews, including PDR, CDR, TRR, and FRR milestones.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in embedded software engineering for aerospace, automotive, or robotics systems.
- Deep experience with C/C++, embedded Linux, and/or RTOS (e.g., VxWorks, Green Hills).
- Strong understanding of real-time systems, deterministic behavior, and low-level debugging.
- Demonstrated experience writing and executing embedded software verification plans.
- Familiarity with avionics communication protocols (CAN, ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, SPI, I²C, UART).
- Proficiency with software requirements management, test case development, and formal documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting FAA certification efforts under DO-178C Level C or higher.
- Familiarity with Simulink, MATLAB, Speedgoat, and HIL test platforms.
- Prior work with autonomous systems, electric propulsion, or thermal management software.
- Experience with Git-based workflows, CI/CD for embedded targets, and safety-critical DevOps.
- Familiarity with digital engineering platforms such as DOORS-NG, JIRA, Jama, or 3DEXPERIENCE.
Attributes to Core Values
- Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
- Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
- Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
- Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
- Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
- ••Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.
$151,000 - $194,000 a year
Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
