Software Integration Engineer III/IV
Zone 5 Technologies1 day ago
San Luis Obispo, CA, USASenior / Staff+
Base Salary
$136k - $210k/yr
Responsibilities
- Own flight software, avionics, sensor, payload, datalink, and ground-control system interfaces across platforms.
- Author and maintain ICDs, interface requirements, message definitions, data dictionaries, and configuration controls.
- Define interface protocols, message sets, timing, error handling, versioning, and backward-compatibility strategies.
- Write software to integrate new components into Zone 5 systems and integrate Zone 5 systems into existing platforms.
- Plan integration sequences and execute interface and system-level verification campaigns from component level through the full air vehicle.
- Develop simulators, emulators, test harnesses, and automated interface tests.
- Support HITL, SITL, iron-bird, simulator, ground, flight, field, and mission-operations testing.
- Troubleshoot failures using bus and network captures, telemetry, logs, and diagnostics.
- Lead anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions through closure.
- Coordinate integration across multidisciplinary teams, vendors, customers, and multiple platforms.
- Represent interface and integration work in design reviews, test readiness reviews, customer engagements, and test activities.
- Provide technical mentorship and conduct code, ICD, and test reviews.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, systems, or computer engineering, computer science, or a related technical field.
- Level III requires 5+ years of relevant experience; Level IV requires 8+ years in system integration, interface development, or verification and validation of aerospace, defense, or safety-critical systems.
- Demonstrated experience authoring and owning ICDs and interface requirements.
- Strong knowledge of Ethernet TCP/UDP, RS-232/422/485 serial communications, CAN, MIL-STD-1553, and ARINC 653.
- Experience integrating subsystems from multiple teams or vendors and understanding aircraft systems and avionics integration.
- Strong proficiency in one or more of C, C++, Python, and MATLAB/Simulink.
- Hands-on experience with SITL and/or HITL test environments.
- Experience with Wireshark or CAN/1553 bus analysis tools.
- Experience planning and executing integration campaigns from requirements through final report.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
- Preferred experience includes autonomous aircraft, UAVs, missiles, robotic systems, DDS, ROS2, MAVLink, STANAG 4586, UAI, military-grade GNSS and navigation systems, WOSA, datalinks, radios, ground-control systems, and guidance, navigation, and control architectures.
- Preferred qualifications also include time synchronization, DO-178C, DO-160, MBSE, SysML, flight-critical or safety-critical software, VxWorks or other RTOS environments, DevOps workflows, automated infrastructure, flight tests, operational deployments, and an active U.S. security clearance.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and other comprehensive benefits.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Three weeks of paid time off annually.
- 40 hours of sick time.
- 12 annual company holidays.
- Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
About Zone 5 Technologies
Zone 5 Technologies builds unmanned aircraft systems and enabling technologies—avionics, flight-control hardware/software, ground control stations, and mission-planning tools—for U.S. government and defense programs. A privately held DoD prime contractor founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA, it develops products such as air-launched effects, counter‑UAS, tactical interceptors, and next‑generation munitions, offering end‑to‑end design, testing, and production.