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Drone Embedded Software Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity Flock is looking to add an Embedded Software Engineer to our Platform Team. This ... Write clean, efficient C/C++ code optimized for resource-constrained hardware and real-time drone ...

Software Engineer - Embedded

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$127.50K - $210K/yr

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key ... As a senior Skydio embedded software engineer, you will have the opportunity to architect, build ...

... drone delivery, self-driving cars, urban air mobility, and augmented reality. The $260B annual GNSS ... The Position TrustPoint is currently seeking a Full Time Embedded Software Engineer to join the ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

... drone delivery, self-driving cars, urban air mobility, and augmented reality. The $260B annual GNSS ... The Position TrustPoint is currently seeking a Full Time Embedded Software Engineer to join the ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Dulles, VA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

... drone delivery, self-driving cars, urban air mobility, and augmented reality. The $260B annual GNSS ... The Position TrustPoint is currently seeking a Full Time Embedded Software Engineer to join the ...

Software Engineer (Embedded)

Sausalito, CA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

... in embedded software design and development * Demonstrated competency in Object Oriented ... drone systems. Imagine a world where firefighters can respond to a blaze in under 6 minutes using ...

Software Engineer, Embedded

Seattle, WA · On-site

$110K - $250K/yr

... controllers, robotic drone nests, and a variety of support equipment & accessories. Key ... Experience developing software for embedded radio systems * Experience developing software for ...

Embedded SDE II, Prime Air

Seattle, WA · On-site

$149.60K - $196.90K/yr

Prime Air is seeking an experienced experienced Embedded Software Development Engineer who combines ... Drone. * Perform root cause analysis and implement fixes for complex functional and performance ...

Embedded SDE II, Prime Air

Seattle, WA

$149.60K - $196.90K/yr

Prime Air is seeking an experienced experienced Embedded Software Development Engineer who combines ... Drone. * Perform root cause analysis and implement fixes for complex functional and performance ...

Sr. Drone Controls Engineer

Orem, UT · On-site

$84.30K - $111.30K/yr

Work on non-control related embedded software tasks (C, C++). * Investigate weak points and corner cases of existing algorithms using data analysis and simulation to improve and make robust drone ...

Sr. Drone Controls Engineer

Orem, UT

$84.30K - $111.30K/yr

Work on non-control related embedded software tasks (C, C++). * Investigate weak points and corner cases of existing algorithms using data analysis and simulation to improve and make robust drone ...

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Drone Embedded Software information

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$70K

$153.4K

$174K

How much do drone embedded software jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone embedded software in the United States is $153,383.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drone Embedded Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drone Embedded Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science or electrical engineering, proficiency in C/C++, and experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and embedded systems. Familiarity with tools such as Git, JTAG debuggers, and communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART), as well as knowledge of drone-specific hardware platforms, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in this role. These skills ensure reliable, efficient, and safe drone operation, which is critical for both performance and regulatory compliance.

How does a Drone Embedded Software engineer typically collaborate with hardware and flight operations teams?

Drone Embedded Software engineers work closely with hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration between software and drone components, such as sensors and flight controllers. Regular communication with flight operations teams is essential to gather feedback on drone performance and troubleshoot any issues discovered during test flights. This collaborative environment helps accelerate development, improve reliability, and ensures that software updates align well with evolving hardware and operational requirements.

What are drone embedded software engineers?

Drone embedded software engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain the software that runs directly on the hardware of drones. This software controls essential functions such as flight control, navigation, communication, and sensor integration. Embedded software is optimized for real-time performance and reliability, often written in languages like C or C++. These engineers work closely with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration and efficient operation of drones in various applications, from aerial photography to industrial inspections.

What is the difference between Drone Embedded Software vs Drone Firmware Developer?

AspectDrone Embedded SoftwareDrone Firmware Developer
CredentialsKnowledge of embedded systems, programming languages (C/C++), electronicsSimilar credentials, often with embedded systems experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing software for drone hardwareDeveloping low-level firmware for drone controllers
Industry UsageUsed across drone manufacturing and R&DPrimarily in hardware-focused drone companies
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in drone software developmentFocusing on firmware-specific tasks in drones

Drone Embedded Software and Drone Firmware Developer roles overlap significantly, both requiring embedded systems knowledge and working within the drone industry. The main difference lies in scope: embedded software covers a broader range of software applications within drones, while firmware developers focus specifically on low-level hardware control. Both roles are essential for drone development and often share similar qualifications.

More about Drone Embedded Software jobs
What cities are hiring for Drone Embedded Software jobs? Cities with the most Drone Embedded Software job openings:
What states have the most Drone Embedded Software jobs? States with the most job openings for Drone Embedded Software jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Drone Embedded Software jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Drone Embedded Software jobs are:
Infographic showing various Drone Embedded Software job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,383 per year, or $73.7 per hour.
Embedded Software Engineer II

$115K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Who is Flock?
Every community deserves to be safe, it's a fundamental right. Our mission is simple - to build technology that reduces crime and protects privacy. Flock partners with cities, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods to help protect where people live, work, and play. Last year, Flock technology supported over 1 million criminal investigations, helped solve approximately 20% of reported crimes in areas where it is deployed, and played a role in locating more than 10,000 missing people.
We are a high-performance team united by urgency, ownership, and a shared commitment to meaningful impact. The work is fast-paced and the expectations are high. We push beyond perceived limits, support each other, and hold ourselves accountable to delivering results that matter.
With over $1B in funding and an $8.3B valuation, we are scaling with intention and investing in the people who will help us build what others said could not be done. At Flock, you will find the opportunity to grow quickly, take on real responsibility, and contribute to something bigger than yourself.
The Opportunity
Flock is looking to add an Embedded Software Engineer to our Platform Team. This isn't your typical desk job! You'll be writing the code that powers our custom-built embedded hardware and drones out in the real world. Our Engineering team is made up of driven people who are responsible for the entire software stack on our devices. They enable our mission by building a stable, secure, and robust embedded Linux platform.
How you'll make an impact:
  • Implement and deliver core components and features for our Yocto-based embedded Linux platform.
  • Write clean, efficient C/C++ code optimized for resource-constrained hardware and real-time drone applications.
  • Perform on-device testing and debugging to ensure software stability and high-quality releases.
  • Document technical designs, system architectures, and test plans to facilitate team collaboration.
  • Provide accurate work estimates and communicate progress effectively through the development lifecycle.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve software defects and hardware integration issues discovered during development and in the field.
The Skillset
We are looking for people who:
  • Have 2+ years of professional experience in embedded software development.
  • Possess strong C/C++ development and debugging skills in Linux environments.
  • Have foundational experience with the Yocto Project or similar build systems (Buildroot, OpenEmbedded).
  • Understand low-level concepts including bootloaders (U-Boot), shell scripting, and basic kernel configuration.
  • Are proficient with Git/GitHub and have a solid understanding of CI/CD workflows (Jenkins/GitHub Actions).
  • Demonstrate a "First Responder" mentality: You are excited to jump into a terminal and figure out why a device isn't behaving.

Nice to Haves:
  • Experience with Rust for embedded systems.
  • Familiarity with Qualcomm SoCs or similar ARM-based architectures.
  • Basic understanding of Linux device drivers or hardware bring-up.
  • Scripting experience in Python or Bash for automation and testing.
  • Knowledge of networking protocols and services (TCP/IP, systemd, D-Bus).
90 Days at Flock
We are a results-oriented culture and believe job descriptions are a thing of the past. We subscribe to 90-day plans and believe that good days lead to good weeks, which lead to good months. This serves as a preview of the 90-day plan you will receive if you are hired as an Embedded Software Engineer at Flock Safety.
The First 30 Days
  • Set up your local development environment and hardware test bench.
  • Learn the basics of Flock's system architecture and Yocto build layers.
  • Complete your first few technical tasks and merge code into the platform.

The First 60 Days
  • Take ownership of a small-to-medium feature or bug fix within our embedded Linux distribution.
  • Participate in code reviews and adopt Flock's specific best practices for safety and security.
  • Conduct lab-based hardware testing for new drone or camera components.

90 Days & Beyond
  • Become a reliable contributor to the core embedded Linux platform.
  • Assist in the board bring-up of new hardware prototypes.
  • Identify and implement improvements to our internal build tools and development processes.
The Perks
Salary & Equity: In this role, you'll receive a starting salary of $115,000-$140,000 as well as stock options
Flexible PTO: We seriously mean it, plus 11 company holidays.
Fully-paid health benefits plan for employees: including Medical, Dental, and Vision and an HSA match.
Family Leave: All employees receive 12 weeks of 100% paid parental leave. Birthing parents are eligible for an additional 6-8 weeks of physical recovery time.
Fertility & Family Benefits: We have partnered with Maven, a complete digital health benefit for starting and raising a family. We will reimburse $10,000 a year for adoption, surrogacy, or fertility.
Mental Health: All employees receive an annual subscription to Headspace.
Caregiver Support: We have partnered with Cariloop to provide our employees with caregiver support
ERGs: We want all employees to thrive and feel like they belong at Flock. We offer three ERGs today - Women of Flock, Flock Proud, and Melanin Motion. If you are interested in talking to a representative from one of these, please let your recruiter know.
Carta Tax Advisor: Employees receive 1:1 sessions with Equity Tax Advisors who can address individual grants, model tax scenarios, and answer general questions.
WFH Stipend: $150 per month to cover the costs of working from home.
Productivity Stipend: $250 per year to use on Audible, Calm, Masterclass, Duolingo, Grammarly and so much more.
Home Office Stipend: A one-time $750 to help you create your dream office
Pet Insurance: We've partnered with Pumpkin to provide insurance for our employee's fur babies.
Flock is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diverse backgrounds and thoughts and welcome everyone to apply for employment with us. We are committed to fostering an environment that is inclusive, transparent, and collaborative. Mutual respect is central to how Flock operates, and we believe the best solutions come from diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills. We embrace our differences and know that we are stronger working together.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at recruiting@flocksafety.com. This information will be treated as confidential and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the interview process.
At Flock, we compensate our employees fairly for their work. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education/training, as well as market indicators. The range above is representative of base salary only and does not include equity, sales bonus plans (when applicable) and benefits. This range may be modified in the future. This job posting may span more than one career level.
Flock is aware of fraudulent individuals and agencies falsely claiming to represent our company. All legitimate communication from Flock will come from an email address ending in @flocksafety.com. We do not make job offers through messaging apps, social platforms, or unauthorized third parties, and we will never request payment or sensitive personal information during the hiring process. If you encounter suspicious outreach related to a Flock role, please report it to recruiting@flocksafety.com