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Software Engineer Px4 Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Ascend Engineering

Embedded Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

We are seeking an embedded software engineer to develop and maintain low-level flight software for UAV platforms running PX4 or ArduPilot. This role involves board bring-up, writing and porting ...

Ascend Engineering

Embedded Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

We are seeking an embedded software engineer to develop and maintain low-level flight software for UAV platforms running PX4 or ArduPilot. This role involves board bring-up, writing and porting ...

Ascend Engineering

Autonomy Engineer (UAV)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

Develop and modify PX4 or ArduPilot firmware to support new autonomy features and system ... Experience debugging complex software and hardware interactions * Ability to work independently and ...

All JobsSoftware Engineer Px4 JobsSoftware Engineer Px4 Jobs in Illinois

Software Engineer Px4 information

What is a software engineer PX4?

A Software Engineer Px4 is a professional who develops, maintains, and optimizes software for the PX4 autopilot platform, which is widely used in drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These engineers work with open-source flight control software, ensuring reliable performance, integrating new features, and troubleshooting issues related to flight operations. They often collaborate with hardware engineers, robotics teams, and other developers to create innovative solutions for aerial robotics applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software engineer PX4?

To thrive as a Software Engineer PX4, you need a strong background in computer science, C/C++ programming, and embedded systems, often supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with PX4 autopilot firmware, Linux, Git, and possibly ROS or UAV hardware integration is typically required. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and tools are crucial for developing reliable, safe, and high-performance flight control systems in drone and robotics applications.

What are some typical challenges software engineers face when working with PX4 flight control software?

Software Engineers working with PX4 frequently encounter challenges related to integrating new hardware, ensuring real-time performance, and debugging issues in complex flight environments. The open-source nature of PX4 means you may need to collaborate with a diverse, global community and stay updated on rapid changes in upstream code. Additionally, ensuring compatibility across various UAV platforms and maintaining robust safety standards are ongoing responsibilities. Successful engineers are proactive in testing, documentation, and leveraging support from both internal teams and the broader PX4 community.

What is the difference between Software Engineer Px4 vs Software Engineer Drone?

AspectSoftware Engineer Px4Software Engineer Drone
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; experience with PX4 autopilotBachelor's in Engineering or Computer Science; experience with drone software
Work EnvironmentEmbedded systems, robotics, UAV developmentUnmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development, hardware integration
Employer & IndustryDrone manufacturers, aerospace, robotics companiesDrone startups, aerospace firms, research institutions
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Software Engineer Px4 specializes in developing and maintaining the PX4 autopilot software used in drones, focusing on embedded systems and robotics. In contrast, Software Engineer Drone may work on broader drone software applications, including hardware integration and flight control systems. Both roles require similar technical skills and are common in the aerospace and robotics industries, but Px4 engineers focus specifically on the PX4 platform.

What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Px4 jobs in Illinois?

For Software Engineer Px4 jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Px4 jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Px4 jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Software Engineer Px4 jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Software Engineer Px4 job openings:

Software Engineer Px4 jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Px4 job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 85% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Embedded Engineer

Ascend Engineering

Chicago, IL • On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

We are seeking an embedded software engineer to develop and maintain low-level flight software for UAV platforms running PX4 or ArduPilot. This role involves board bring-up, writing and porting device drivers, working directly with MCU peripherals and hardware buses, and getting firmware onto flight controllers reliably and repeatably. The engineer will work at the bottom of the UAV stack - from bootloaders and RTOS internals up to MAVLink-level system behavior - while maintaining a strong focus on reliability and practical field performance.
This position requires someone who is equally comfortable in a datasheet, a debugger, and on a bench with a logic analyzer. The ideal candidate enjoys hardware/software boundary problems, can diagnose an issue whether it originates in silicon or in code, and takes ownership of projects from schematic review through flight validation.
MUST HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN US
Responsibilities
  • Develop and modify PX4 (NuttX) or ArduPilot (ChibiOS) firmware, including board support packages and hardware definitions for new flight controller targets
  • Write, port, and debug device drivers over UART, I2C, SPI, CAN/DroneCAN, and USB for sensors, rangefinders, radios, gimbals, and payloads
  • Bring up new hardware from bare board to flying vehicle: clocks, power rails, pin muxing, peripheral configuration, and first-boot validation
  • Build, flash, and debug firmware and bootloaders using SWD/JTAG probes (J-Link, ST-Link), and maintain reliable field update paths (bootloader flashing, MAVLink FTP, parameter and storage layout)
  • Implement and validate MAVLink message handling and interfaces between the flight controller, companion computers, and ground stations
  • Diagnose timing, interrupt, DMA, memory, and bus-level issues at the bench using an oscilloscope, logic analyzer (Saleae or similar), CAN bus analyzer, and bench supply with current monitoring
  • Conduct bench and flight testing, analyze flight logs and telemetry, and resolve firmware issues found in the field
  • Document hardware interfaces, driver behavior, bring-up procedures, and design decisions

Required Qualifications
  • Strong C and C++ programming skills in resource-constrained embedded environments
  • Hands-on experience with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers (STM32 or similar), including peripheral configuration from the datasheet and reference manual
  • Practical experience with UART, I2C, SPI, and CAN - including debugging them on real hardware, not just calling an API
  • Experience flashing and debugging embedded targets over SWD/JTAG, and working with bootloaders and firmware update mechanisms
  • Comfort working in an RTOS or bare-metal context (interrupts, DMA, task scheduling, memory constraints)
  • Experience debugging complex software and hardware interactions with lab instrumentation - oscilloscope, logic analyzer, protocol decoders, and a multimeter as second nature
  • Ability to work independently, take ownership of engineering tasks, and exercise practical engineering judgment

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience modifying or contributing to PX4 or ArduPilot codebases, particularly drivers or board configuration
  • Familiarity with MAVLink, autopilot parameters, and flight log analysis
  • Experience with DroneCAN/Cyphal, DShot or other ESC protocols, or PWM/timer-driven peripherals
  • Experience integrating IMUs, barometers, magnetometers, GPS, LiDAR, or camera modules at the driver level
  • Experience building or configuring drones from components, and reading schematics well enough to work with hardware engineers
  • Personal robotics, UAV, or embedded systems projects

What We Value
  • Engineers who build and experiment outside of work
  • Strong ownership and accountability for outcomes
  • Practical, hands-on problem solving
  • Clear communication and collaboration within small teams
  • Curiosity and continuous learning

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