Principal Software Engineer
Mach IndustriesBase Salary
$220k - $265k/yr
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software for autonomous defense platforms.
- Architect and implement high-performance systems in C++, Rust, Python, or C for real-time and embedded applications.
- Own end-to-end software architecture from low-level firmware through high-level mission software and edge computing solutions.
- Collaborate with embedded, GNC, systems engineering, and cross-functional teams on hardware-software integration and system optimization.
- Optimize real-time execution, low-latency operation, and resource utilization on embedded and edge platforms.
- Establish secure coding practices and architectures aligned with defense cybersecurity standards.
- Champion DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and infrastructure-as-code.
- Troubleshoot complex software and system-level issues to maintain mission-critical reliability and availability.
- Lead strategic technical improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, performance, and system capabilities.
- Mentor engineers and communicate technical vision, risks, and trade-offs to leadership and stakeholders.
Requirements
- Expert proficiency in C++, Rust, Python, or C and the ability to deliver clean, efficient, highly reliable code.
- At least 10 years of experience leading and delivering large-scale projects exceeding 10,000 lines of code from architecture through deployment and ongoing support.
- Deep expertise in real-time software development, embedded systems, performance optimization, and low-level hardware interfaces.
- Mastery of the full software development lifecycle, including system design, deployment, monitoring, and sustainment.
- Proven technical leadership, ownership, and ability to drive critical projects to completion with minimal oversight.
- Strong experience with real-time operating systems, embedded platforms, and hardware-software co-design.
- Preferred: hands-on Rust expertise, especially embedded Rust with Embassy or similar frameworks.
- Preferred: experience in autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense applications.
- Preferred: familiarity with microcontrollers, I²C, SPI, CAN, real-time operating systems, and low-level firmware development.
- Preferred: experience with sensor fusion, state estimation, GNC systems, or related domains.
- Preferred: experience modeling and simulating flight vehicle dynamics in integrated, cross-disciplinary environments.
- Preferred: firmware development, testing, and validation for safety-critical or mission-critical embedded systems.
- Ability to work on-site in Huntington Beach, California or San Francisco, California.
Benefits
- On-site work required in Huntington Beach, California or San Francisco, California.
- Health insurance and retirement plans.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Equity grants are included in most offers.
- Employment may require authorization to access U.S. export-controlled technology without sponsorship for an export license.
About Mach Industries
Mach Industries is a defense manufacturing company that develops and produces unmanned aerospace and defense systems, along with the infrastructure required to manufacture them at scale. Its product portfolio includes strike aircraft, long-range munitions, high-altitude platforms, counter-drone systems, and propulsion technologies designed for military applications. The company follows a vertically integrated approach, designing and manufacturing key components and systems in-house to support production, testing, and deployment. Mach Industries also operates a decentralized manufacturing network that supports the production of defense hardware and related components. In addition to developing operational systems, the company provides capabilities in propulsion, energetics, testing, and advanced manufacturing for defense and aerospace applications.