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Contract Aviation Software Engineer Jobs in California

About The Role We are seeking a mid-level Software Engineer with strong Python experience to join our growing engineering team. You will design, build, and maintain scalable applications and services ...

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Contract Aviation Software Engineer information

What is a contract aviation software engineer?

A Contract Aviation Software Engineer is a software developer who works on a temporary or project-based basis to design, develop, and maintain software systems used in the aviation industry. These professionals may be responsible for creating flight control software, avionics systems, simulation tools, or air traffic management solutions. They often work for airlines, aircraft manufacturers, or aerospace companies, and their contracts may vary in length depending on the project's scope. Typically, contract engineers bring specialized skills and flexibility to teams needing to meet specific project deadlines or technical requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract aviation software engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Aviation Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (such as C, C++, or Ada), a solid understanding of avionics systems, and typically a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with industry standards like DO-178C, real-time operating systems, and software development tools such as Git, Jira, and MATLAB is highly valuable. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for working with multidisciplinary teams and meeting tight deadlines. These skills ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, and compliant software solutions in the highly regulated aviation industry.

What is the difference between Contract Aviation Software Engineer vs Contract Aerospace Software Engineer?

AspectContract Aviation Software EngineerContract Aerospace Software Engineer
Required CredentialsRelevant software development certifications, aerospace industry knowledgeSimilar certifications, specialized aerospace industry experience
Work EnvironmentAircraft manufacturers, airlines, aerospace firmsAerospace research centers, defense contractors
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in aviation and commercial aircraft sectorsPrimarily in space, defense, and satellite sectors

Contract Aviation Software Engineers and Contract Aerospace Software Engineers share similar skills and certifications but differ mainly in industry focus. Aviation engineers work on commercial and private aircraft, while aerospace engineers focus on space and defense projects. Both roles require specialized software expertise and industry knowledge, but their work environments and applications vary significantly.

What are the typical challenges faced by contract aviation software engineers when integrating software with existing avionics systems?

Contract aviation software engineers often encounter the challenge of ensuring compatibility between new software and legacy avionics systems, which can involve working with outdated documentation and strict regulatory requirements. Accurate testing and validation are essential, as aviation software must meet rigorous safety and reliability standards. Close collaboration with hardware engineers and compliance specialists is common, and the ability to quickly adapt to varying project scopes and client expectations is crucial for success in contract roles.

What are popular job titles related to Contract Aviation Software Engineer jobs in California?

For Contract Aviation Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Aviation Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Aviation Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Aviation Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Aviation Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Aviation Software Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution.

Software Engineer, Integrated Vehicle Simulator

Joby Aviation

Santa Cruz, CA

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Company Overview

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Overview

Joby Aviation is seeking a driven engineer with C++ development skills and experience, an ability to understand complex problems and create reliable, repeatable solutions. This engineer will play a key role in a small, fast-moving team. They will participate in architecture, design, and implementation of solutions that support and expand our integrated vehicle simulators. They will work with software and hardware engineers across the company to help them test and improve their solutions.

Responsibilities
  • Help maintain and improve solutions that combine simulated and hardware environments to test the behavior of on-vehicle software as if it were on the vehicle
  • Architect, design, and develop improvements and extensions for simulation software
  • Enhance the simulations to more accurately reflect the behavior in actual vehicles of the software being tested
  • Enhance the performance and reliability of the simulation's solutions
  • Adapt simulations to new vehicle designs
  • Provide support and consulting to users of the simulation across the organization that depend on the simulators for their daily work
Required
  • University degree in computer science or computer engineering and 5+ year's industry experience. An advanced degree and 3+ years' experience will also be considered
  • Significant experience and demonstrable expertise in C++                           
  • Understanding of Continuous Integration, Continuous Development (CI/CD) and DevOps tools
  • Familiarity with Linux OS and command-line tools
  • Willingness to be flexible and learn new technologies
Desired
  • Understanding of aircraft and aviation (or development in a regulatory environment)
  • Network experience (VLANs, UDP, Wireshark, etc)
  • Experience working with the Linux scheduler
  • Experience developing software using Python
Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $120,500k - $160,500k. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment Type: FULL_TIME