Embedded Software Engineer
Booster, California, MO, United States
Role Overview
Pyka is looking for an Embedded Software Engineer with strong technical curiosity and a passion for building the low-level systems that power autonomous aircraft. In this role, you’ll contribute to the embedded software that runs on our flight computers, auxiliary computers, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing systems — the infrastructure that ensures our aircraft behave safely and reliably in the real world.
You’ll work across firmware, hardware bring‑up, and testing systems, taking ownership of key components while collaborating with electrical, avionics, systems, and flight control engineers. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll build and improve real‑time systems that directly impact flight performance and safety. If you’ve built embedded systems for robots, vehicles, or other real‑time machines, you’ll feel at home shaping the foundation that every Pyka aircraft depends on.
If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply — we’d love to meet people who bring passion, curiosity, and the ability to grow into new challenges.
Responsibilities
Contribute to the development of embedded software for flight and auxiliary computers
Own components and features within the firmware stack, from implementation through testing and iteration
Support the development and maintenance of Pyka’s hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing environment
Implement drivers for off‑the-shelf and custom sensors (I²C, SPI, CAN, UART/serial, etc.)
Assist with board bring‑up and hardware integration, including debugging low‑level issues
Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams to define interfaces, requirements, and validation plans
Debug hardware/software interaction issues across microcontrollers, sensors, and embedded Linux systems
Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams to define interfaces and support system integration
Write reliable, maintainable code and contribute to improving development and testing workflows
Required Qualifications
2-4 years of experience developing embedded software or firmware for real‑time or hardware‑integrated systems
Proficiency in C/C++ and experience with microcontrollers and embedded Linux systems
Comfortable implementing sensor and peripheral drivers (I²C, SPI, CAN, UART, Ethernet)
Comfortable with Git and modern collaborative software development workflows
Ability to take ownership of features and debug issues independently
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with FPGAs or HDL development
Experience with electric motor controllers or motor control firmware
Familiarity with hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing and embedded automated test frameworks
We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.
Compensation & Benefits
$140,000–$168,000 per year base salary + equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
Employer‑sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance
FSA with employer matching
401(k)
Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
Voluntary short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and life insurance
Pre‑tax commuter benefits
Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Pyka is looking for an Embedded Software Engineer with strong technical curiosity and a passion for building the low-level systems that power autonomous aircraft. In this role, you’ll contribute to the embedded software that runs on our flight computers, auxiliary computers, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing systems — the infrastructure that ensures our aircraft behave safely and reliably in the real world.
You’ll work across firmware, hardware bring‑up, and testing systems, taking ownership of key components while collaborating with electrical, avionics, systems, and flight control engineers. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll build and improve real‑time systems that directly impact flight performance and safety. If you’ve built embedded systems for robots, vehicles, or other real‑time machines, you’ll feel at home shaping the foundation that every Pyka aircraft depends on.
If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply — we’d love to meet people who bring passion, curiosity, and the ability to grow into new challenges.
Responsibilities
Contribute to the development of embedded software for flight and auxiliary computers
Own components and features within the firmware stack, from implementation through testing and iteration
Support the development and maintenance of Pyka’s hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing environment
Implement drivers for off‑the-shelf and custom sensors (I²C, SPI, CAN, UART/serial, etc.)
Assist with board bring‑up and hardware integration, including debugging low‑level issues
Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams to define interfaces, requirements, and validation plans
Debug hardware/software interaction issues across microcontrollers, sensors, and embedded Linux systems
Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams to define interfaces and support system integration
Write reliable, maintainable code and contribute to improving development and testing workflows
Required Qualifications
2-4 years of experience developing embedded software or firmware for real‑time or hardware‑integrated systems
Proficiency in C/C++ and experience with microcontrollers and embedded Linux systems
Comfortable implementing sensor and peripheral drivers (I²C, SPI, CAN, UART, Ethernet)
Comfortable with Git and modern collaborative software development workflows
Ability to take ownership of features and debug issues independently
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with FPGAs or HDL development
Experience with electric motor controllers or motor control firmware
Familiarity with hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing and embedded automated test frameworks
We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.
Compensation & Benefits
$140,000–$168,000 per year base salary + equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
Employer‑sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance
FSA with employer matching
401(k)
Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
Voluntary short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and life insurance
Pre‑tax commuter benefits
Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks
#J-18808-Ljbffr