Principal Embedded Systems & Sensor Software Engineer

Woolpert is an award-winning, global leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional client value. Our team is passionate about their work and committed to building the next generation of industry leaders, and as a certified Great Place to Work®, Woolpert embraces progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.

Position Overview

Woolpert is seeking a Principal 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.

Note: 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

A 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