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Drone Embedded Software Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Drone Embedded Software information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$69.2K

$151.6K

$172K

How much do drone embedded software jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone embedded software in Elgin, IL is $151,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,000.00 and $171,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drone embedded software engineer?

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.

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 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 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 popular job titles related to Drone Embedded Software jobs in Elgin, IL?

For Drone Embedded Software jobs in Elgin, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Embedded Software jobs in Elgin, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Embedded Software jobs in Elgin, IL are:

What cities near Elgin, IL are hiring for Drone Embedded Software jobs?

Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Drone Embedded Software job openings:

Drone Embedded Software jobs near you

Senior - Principal Robotics Software Engineer

Chicago, IL • On-site

WingXpand, LLC.
See more jobs at WingXpand, LLC.external

$150 - $230/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Senior – Principal Robotics Software EngineerAbout WingXpand

WingXpand is Expanding What’s Possible™ with Autonomous Systems, building long-endurance, backpackable smart plane drones and robotics systems that support defense, public safety, disaster response, and commercial missions. Our platforms operate across air, ground, and maritime domains, integrating autonomy, AI-powered sensing, edge computing, and networked systems to deliver real-world intelligence and threat detection. We design, build, and deploy complete systems — hardware, software, and data — and we move fast. As WingXpand scales, we are seeking high performers to grow with our team.

Job Description

WingXpand is building the next generation of autonomous systems—highly portable robotic platforms that deliver real-time intelligence where it matters most. We are seeking a Senior / Principal Robotics Software Engineer to help design, build, and deploy the autonomy and robotics software that powers these systems. This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who enjoys seeing their code operate in the real world. You will develop robotics software that runs directly on our robotic platforms and supporting systems, integrating new sensors, building autonomy behaviors, and testing systems in real operational environments. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of hardware, aerospace, and software engineers to bring new capabilities to life—from perception and autonomy to collaborative robotic behaviors across multiple systems. The ideal candidate enjoys both writing robust software and deploying it to real robotic platforms, iterating quickly through testing, field validation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design and develop robotics and autonomy software for WingXpand’s autonomous platforms
  • Implement and improve autonomous behaviors, navigation systems, and mission logic
  • Integrate new sensors, payloads, and perception capabilities into the robotics stack
  • Develop software supporting collaborative robotic systems and multi-agent coordination
  • Deploy, test, and validate robotics software on real robotic platforms and supporting infrastructure
  • Work closely with hardware, avionics, and systems engineers to integrate and optimize performance
  • Troubleshoot, debug, and improve system reliability across software and hardware interfaces
  • Participate in testing, experimentation, and rapid iteration of new capabilities
  • Contribute to system architecture and long-term autonomy development
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
  • 5 to 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with C++ in a Linux development environment, PX4, and ROS.
  • Experience testing, evaluating, and troubleshooting robotic systems.
  • Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and established codebases.
  • Proven experience designing and implementing modular, scalable software solutions.
Additional Qualifications
  • Master’s in a relevant field
  • Experience developing software or hardware for flight systems and safety-critical functionality.
  • Background in programming for embedded computing systems such as Nvidia Jetson
  • Experience with distributed communication networks and messaging standards.
  • Experience using containerization technologies like Docker
  • Prior experience flying or working on drone systems.
What Else You Need to Know

To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations,
applicant must be a 'U.S. Person' (U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder).

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