Director Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Mississippi

Position Overview

Woolpert is seeking an Embedded Systems & Sensor Software Engineer to join our growing Advanced Sensing team. to lead the development of software, embedded systems, and operator experiences for next-generation airborne LiDAR and remote sensing platforms.

This role serves as the technical bridge between sensor hardware, avionics, aircraft operations, data acquisition systems, calibration workflows, maintenance processes, and end-user applications. The successful candidate will own the software architecture that enables sensor operation from hardware control through field deployment, diagnostics, and lifecycle support.

This is a highly visible technical leadership role responsible for transforming advanced sensor technology into reliable, scalable, and intuitive operational systems.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.  Applicants must already possess work authorization in the country the job is located.

What You Will Do:

Embedded Systems Architecture

• Lead the design and development of embedded software architectures for airborne LiDAR and imaging systems.
• Develop and maintain software supporting:
  • Sensor control
  • Data acquisition
  • Timing and synchronization
  • Hardware monitoring
  • Communications interfaces
  • Health and status reporting
• Define software requirements and system interfaces across hardware, firmware, and application layers.

Sensor Integration

• Integrate software with:
  • Laser subsystems
  • LIDAR sensor
  • Detector electronics
  • GNSS/INS systems
  • Cameras
  • Aircraft interfaces
  • Data storage systems

• Support laboratory integration, aircraft integration, and operational deployment activities.

User Experience & Operator Tools

• Lead development of intuitive operator and maintenance interfaces.
• Design software that simplifies:
  • Sensor startup
  • Mission execution
  • Calibration procedures
  • Diagnostic workflows
  • Maintenance activities
• Partner with flight crews and field engineers to improve operational efficiency and reduce training requirements.

Reliability & Maintainability

• Develop health monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions.
• Create automated diagnostic and fault reporting capabilities.
• Support root-cause investigations for field issues and system failures.
• Drive strategies that improve fleet reliability and reduce downtime.

System Testing & Validation

• Develop software validation and verification methodologies and support.
  • Environmental testing
  • Hardware-in-loop testing
  • Flight testing
  • Factory acceptance testing

• Analyze software and sensor performance data to identify improvement opportunities.

Technical Leadership

• Establish software development standards and best practices.
• Mentor software and systems engineers.
• Participate in technology roadmaps and product strategy discussions.
• Support customer demonstrations, technical proposals, and executive briefings.

 What You Will Bring:

Education

Bachelor's degree in:

• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Aerospace Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Related technical discipline

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of professional software engineering experience.
• Minimum 3 years working with embedded systems or hardware-integrated software.
• Demonstrated success leading software development for complex technical systems.
• Experience supporting products from concept through operational deployment.

Technical Skills

• C++
• Python
• C
• C#
• Rust
• Linux
• Embedded Linux
• Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
• Qt or similar UI frameworks
• Ethernet
• USB
• Serial interfaces
• CAN Bus
• PCIe
• Timing and synchronization systems
• High-speed data acquisition architectures
• Git
• CI/CD workflows
• Automated testing frameworks
• Requirements management tools

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Benefits You Will Love

Certified as a Great Place to Work, Woolpert is one of the fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and geospatial companies in the world. With over 75 offices and countless projects around the globe, you'll work on meaningful assignments that improve quality of life around the world. In addition to offering competitive pay, we provide employees with a robust set of unique benefits, including:

• Freedom to Work program: Set your own schedule and location (as appropriate).
• Principal program: Earn the opportunity to become an owner of the firm.
• Flexible paid time off/vacation: Take time off when it makes sense for you and your team.
• Career development: Explore a wide range of learning and growth opportunities within and across industries.
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance: Cover all your medical bases.
• Paid sick time, retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, pet insurance, identity protection, technology stipend, employee assistance program, and more!