Senior Onboard Software Engineer

Matternet is building the future of delivery with autonomous drone networks that move critical goods faster, cleaner, and at lower cost. We work with partners across healthcare, logistics, food, and retail to deliver everything from medical items to everyday essentials, safely and reliably.

We’re seeking a Senior Onboard Software Engineer to develop the software that runs on our aircraft and ground assets. Working primarily in modern C++ on embedded Linux, you’ll develop and harden the safety‑critical subsystems that allow our drones to fly autonomous Beyond‑Visual‑Line‑of‑Sight (BVLOS) missions across varied environments, from open airspace to dense, urban areas. This is a senior individual‑contributor role with real ownership: you'll own specific subsystems end‑to‑end, drive implementation through simulation and flight test, and partner with teams across the company to validate and support them in the field.

In this role, you will:

• Own safety‑critical onboard subsystems that enhance our UAS capabilities and safety mitigations
• Build the systems that allow aircraft to fly autonomously in demanding environments, including dense urban airspaces
• Deliver major customer‑facing features on flight and ground assets, while balancing performance, safety, and reliability
• Drive software verification and release, from simulation and flight test to deployment across production fleets
• Provide senior technical support, triaging and solving field and flight‑test issues
• Collaborate with stakeholders within Engineering, Operations, Safety, and Production

• 5+ years of production software engineering, owning major subsystems end‑to‑end
• Expertise in modern C++, multithreading, and algorithm design and optimization
• Strong Linux background and experience with cross‑compiling
• Experience with Python, YAML, and other scripting tools
• Solid applied math skills (geometry, coordinate transforms, kinematics) for navigation and avoidance
• Proven ability to implement and validate complex native systems and validate them in simulation and on hardware
• Proficiency with version control and peer code review workflows (e.g. Git)
• Excellent technical communication and strong cross‑disciplinary teamwork in a fast‑paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• UAV, autonomous robotics, aerospace, or other safety‑critical regulated experience
• Experience using AI coding assistants to accelerate development
• Familiarity with an autopilot stack such as ArduPilot or PX4
• Computer vision and perception (OpenCV or similar) and sensor integration
• Experience with Docker, and containerized build, test, and development environments
• Experience with distributed systems, networking and real‑time messaging, and fleet management
• Google Test framework
• Relevant mechanical, aerospace, or electrical engineering experience

Work Environment

• In‑person role based at Matternet Headquarters and access to our flight test facility
• The ability to work and communicate efficiently online with a hybrid team is critical to success

At Matternet, we’re advancing a new era of logistics, one where autonomous drones deliver what matters faster, cleaner, and more efficiently. We know our mission is challenging, but it’s worth it, and we are committed to taking care of the people who make it possible.

• Compensation: The expected starting range for this role is $180,000–$240,000, based on San Francisco Bay Area market data. This range reflects the target starting pay for candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the role. Final compensation will depend on factors such as your experience, skills, level, location, and potential impact.
• Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, our compensation packages include equity and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), unlimited paid time off, company holidays, and a 401(k) plan.