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Drone Embedded Software Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Drone Embedded Software information

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 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.

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.

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 are popular job titles related to Drone Embedded Software jobs in Minnesota? For Drone Embedded Software jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drone Embedded Software jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Drone Embedded Software jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Drone Embedded Software jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Drone Embedded Software job openings:
Infographic showing various Drone Embedded Software job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.
Sr Solutions Architect Defense UAV Drones

Sr Solutions Architect Defense UAV Drones

LANTRONIX

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Sr. Solutions Architect - Defense UAV (Drones) & Unmanned Platforms

Organizational Summary
Lantronix Inc. is a global leader in Edge AI and Industrial IoT solutions, delivering intelligent computing, secure connectivity, and remote management for mission-critical applications across defense, industrial, and enterprise environments. Our expanding platform—spanning embedded compute, AI-enabled networking, PoE infrastructure, and edge software—enables real-time data processing and autonomous decision-making at the network edge. We power next-generation applications including robotics, smart cities, intelligent security, and NDAA-compliant unmanned systems.

Role Description:
Lantronix Compute is a high-growth business unit within Lantronix, delivering embedded compute and Edge AI platforms that power next-generation unmanned systems, including Group 1–3 UAS, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and maritime platforms for defense, public safety, and government customers. Our portfolio of System-on-Modules (SOMs) enables real-time perception, autonomy, and secure mission processing for applications such as ISR, force protection, perimeter security, and contested-environment operations.

We are seeking a Senior Solutions Architect with deep, hands-on experience in defense and UAV platforms, not just component sales. This role is for someone who has worked directly with drone OEMs, defense primes, payload suppliers, and system integrators, understands how unmanned systems are architected end-to-end, and can credibly engage at both the engineering and program level.

This role is highly collaborative, requiring you to partner closely with Sales to build and qualify a robust opportunity pipeline across defense primes, drone OEMs, payload vendors and system integrators. You will scope technical solutions and proofofconcept projects that integrate Lantronix SOMs, sensor payloads (EO/IR, RGB, LiDAR, radar), flightcontrol stacks (e.g., Pixhawk/PX4), ground control systems into customer platforms. You will also play a key role in guiding internal product strategy based on real customer requirements from defense and government programs.

This is a field-facing, technically rigorous role that sits at the intersection of sales, product, and engineering and is tightly aligned with revenue growth in the UAV and unmanned systems market.

Responsibilities:

  • Identify, qualify and nurture new OEM, Tier1/2 integrators, and defense prime customers to expand our design win pipeline and grow revenue in the drone and defense market, with a focus on AI enabled UAVs and mission critical unmanned systems.
  • Act as the first technical and business point of contact for key drone accounts; build multilevel relationships (engineering, product, program and procurement) and uncover opportunities to increase Lantronix compute content per platform.
  • Architect and scope end-to-end unmanned system solutions, including:
  • Edge compute / AI SOMs
  • Sensor payloads (EO/IR, RGB, LiDAR, radar, SIGINT where applicable)
  • Flight controllers and autonomy stacks (PX4/Pixhawk,ArduPilot, custom RTOS/Linux stacks)
  • Onboard networking, storage, and secure communications
  • Perform market, product and technology research across UAV, edge compute modules, payloadecosystemsand competing drone compute platforms; conduct competitive analysis to inform our compute roadmap andidentifydifferentiated solutions (e.g., NDAA/TAAalignedstacks,lowSWaPEdge AI, secureondeviceprocessing) that increase market penetration.
  • Translate customer and program requirements into clear product requirements, reference architectures, and solution briefs for internal engineering and product teams.
  • Support marketing and business development efforts, including:
  • Technical input for UAV-focused product launches
  • Participation in defense and UAV industry events
  • Development of technical collateral, demos, and customer success narratives tied to real platforms and deployments
  • Drivecrossfunctionalcollaboration with marketing,salesand engineering to continuously improve technical collateral for the drone market (reference designs,DevKitdocumentation, integration guides for flight controllers and payloads, performance benchmarks for ISR and inspection workloads, product web pages, etc.)

Qualifications:

  • 8+ years of experience in the Defense/Drone space in either a technical or sales role
  • Demonstrated experience working with drone OEMs, defense primes, or system integrators on deployed or program-of-record platforms
  • Strong technical understanding of UAV system architecture, including onboardcompute, sensors, flight control, and ground control integration
  • Experience supporting design-ins or platform selections for embedded compute,SoMs, or related technologies
  • Ability to credibly engage with engineering teams and defense customers on architecture, trade-offs, and performance constraints
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field


This position remote in the U.S.A. and will require U.S. citizenship

Salary range will vary depending on location of hire and experience, ranging from $130,000 to $200,000 annually