Lead Software Engineer, Advanced Pilot Assistant Software – Autonomy/Robotics

Beacon Venture Capital

Lead engineer developing autonomy, robotics, and embedded software for Beacon AI’s aviation safety platform. Building reliable pilot-assistance systems for safety-critical, real-world flight operations.

Posted 8/11/2026full-timeSan Carlos • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $185,000 - $260,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and deploying robotic and embedded software, with a strong focus on C++ and Python programming. Capable of integrating software with hardware and optimizing for edge compute environments while ensuring safety and reliability in mission-critical systems.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Robotic Software DevelopmentEmbedded Systems ProgrammingC++ ProgrammingPython ProgrammingSafety-Critical Systems Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Robotic Software DevelopmentEmbedded Systems ProgrammingC++ ProgrammingPython ProgrammingReal-Time SystemsSystems-Level ProgrammingDebugging Hardware/Software InteractionsAutonomy Systems IntegrationEdge Compute OptimizationSafety Mechanisms Implementation

Soft Skills

Mentoring EngineersCollaborationTechnical Direction

Tools & Technologies

ROSDDSSimulation EnvironmentsEdge Compute Platforms

Industry Keywords

Safety-Critical SystemsMission-Critical SystemsAviationRoboticsAutonomous Systems

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, build, and deploy robotic and embedded software powering advanced pilot assistance systems in production environments
Own autonomy-related features or subsystems from concept through deployment, driving work from 0 to 1 with a focus on reliability and performance
Write, review, and maintain Python and C++ code across autonomy, systems, and embedded components
Integrate software with hardware, sensors, and perception or data ingestion pipelines for autonomous and operator-in-the-loop decision-making
Optimize software for edge compute environments, including CPU/GPU usage and latency, and implement safety mechanisms and fail-safes
Lead testing, validation, and deployment to meet safety-critical and mission-critical requirements
Mentor engineers and contribute to technical direction through design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on collaboration

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of experience designing and deploying robotic software and/or embedded systems in production environments
Strong software engineering skills in C++ and/or Python
Experience with systems-level or embedded programming
Experience building real-time or interactive systems supporting time-sensitive user decisions
Familiarity with autonomy systems such as planning, decision-making, or reasoning
Experience integrating with perception or sensor pipelines
Hands-on experience with embedded or edge compute platforms
Experience debugging hardware/software interactions
Ability to deliver complex systems end-to-end in fast-moving, ambiguous environments
Experience with safety-critical or mission-critical systems, including aviation or robotics, is a bonus
Familiarity with ROS or DDS is a bonus
Experience with human operators in the loop, simulation environments, or real-time control systems is a bonus
Must be a U.S. Person due to U.S. export control regulations
Must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States
No visa sponsorship or visa transfers available
Must be able to work in San Carlos, CA at least 3 days per week or be willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area
Must be available to start full-time employment within 30 days

Benefits

Comp & perks

100% of employee medical premiums covered; 25% for dependents
3 weeks PTO
13+ paid company holidays
Monthly phone benefits
Monthly wellness benefits
401(k) offered
Equity
Bonus