⚡ Job Title: Senior Manager – eVTOL & Drone (Embedded Systems & Firmware)

💼 Industry: Aerospace / eVTOL

🌎 Location: California, United States

💰 Salary: $200,000+

⚡ Company Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager of Firmware Engineering to lead the design, development, and optimization of embedded systems and firmware for next-generation eVTOL aircraft and UAV platforms. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in real-time operating systems (RTOS), low-level hardware integration, and autonomous control systems. This leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the future of aerial mobility and guide teams at the cutting edge of aviation and robotics innovation.

⚡ Position Summary:

The Senior Manager will play a key leadership role in the development of mission-critical embedded software and firmware for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and drones. This individual will be responsible for guiding architecture, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and leading cross-functional engineering teams to deliver high-reliability systems for real-time control, flight operations, and system integration.

⚡ Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for firmware and embedded systems engineering.
• Oversee the architecture, development, and debugging of embedded firmware for aerospace grade microcontrollers and processors.
• Define and implement best practices for RTOS-based and bare-metal firmware in safety-critical environments.
• Drive development of low-level drivers, sensor integration, and board bring-up.
• Lead firmware communication interface development (CAN, SPI, UART, I2C, Ethernet).
• Collaborate closely with avionics, propulsion, flight control, and safety teams.
• Ensure adherence to aviation standards (e.g., DO-178C, ARP4754, DO-254).
• Implement continuous integration, automated testing, and rigorous code reviews.

⚡ Experience/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in embedded systems/firmware development, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, debugging, and real-time embedded systems.
• Experience with microcontroller and SoC platforms (ARM Cortex, RISC-V, etc.).
• Deep expertise with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, QNX, ThreadX) and flight control stacks (PX4, ArduPilot).
• Knowledge of safety-critical firmware development and certification (DO-178C, ISO 26262, etc.).
• Familiarity with UAV communication standards and protocols.
• Track record of mentoring and leading high-performing technical teams.

⚡ Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience in the eVTOL or aerospace sector.
• Exposure to AI/ML for autonomous systems or edge processing.
• Background in hybrid-electric propulsion or energy management systems.
• Familiarity with DSPs, FPGA integration, or advanced simulation tools.

📧 Sounds like you? Please click on the ‘Easy Apply’ button.

⚡ Storm4 is a specialist GreenTech recruitment firm with clients across Europe, APAC and North America. To discuss open opportunities or career options, please visit our website at www.storm4.com and follow the Storm4 LinkedIn page for the latest jobs and intel.