Payload Integration Specialist

Position Summary

We are looking for a highly technical Embedded Linux / C++ Systems Engineer to develop, maintain, and improve core software services running on our drone System-on-Module platform. This role focuses on C/C++ Linux utilities, system daemons, networking, boot and initialization behavior, logging infrastructure, and integrations with the flight stack, radio systems, and ground-control ecosystem.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working close to the operating system in a resource-constrained Ubuntu-based environment. They can debug complex system behavior, understand networking at a practical level, and contribute to both maintenance and new feature development across critical drone management services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot C/C++ utilities and services running on an embedded Linux SOM.
• Support and extend drone management services responsible for button handling, networking setup, radio management, device pairing, and system-level coordination.
• Maintain and improve PX4 log handling and related flight logging workflows.
• Help design and build broader logging and diagnostics services for system, application, flight, and network data.
• Work with bootup behavior, initialization scripts, Linux service startup, and system process management.
• Support platform components
• Work with networking systems used by the drone and ground-control ecosystem, including UDP endpoints, MAVLink Router, gRPC, Protobuf, DHCP, DNS, radio networking, and network monitoring tools.
• Debug and support Radio networking behavior in coordination with other teams.
• Use tools or diagnostics utilities to investigate system-wide networking issues.
• Collaborate with flight software, embedded systems, manufacturing, test, and QA teams to diagnose and resolve field and lab issues.
• Contribute clean, maintainable, well-documented system software for a constrained production environment.

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience developing in C and/or C++ on Linux.
• Strong Linux systems knowledge, especially around services, processes, networking, filesystems, permissions, logs, and startup behavior.
• Experience scripting in Linux environments using Bash, Python, or similar tools.
• Practical networking experience, including UDP, DHCP, DNS, ports, routing, and network debugging.
• Experience working on resource-constrained Linux systems or embedded Linux platforms.
• Ability to debug difficult system-level issues using logs, command-line tools, and hands-on investigation.
• Comfortable working on production systems where reliability, maintainability, and observability matter.
• Strong technical judgment and ability to work independently on ambiguous problems.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience with MAVLink, PX4, or drone/UAS systems.
• Experience with MAVLink Router or similar message-routing infrastructure.
• Experience with gRPC and Protobuf.
• Experience with radio networking systems.
• Experience with mesh networks or multi-interface network environments.
• Experience building logging, diagnostics, telemetry, or observability services.
• Experience with embedded Ubuntu or Linux-based SOM platforms.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to walk, stand, and navigate large indoor and outdoor facilities for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials and equipment weighing up to 25 lbs on a regular basis.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required in designated areas or when performing specific tasks, in accordance with safety protocols and company policy.
• May be required to climb ladders, stoop, kneel, or crouch during inspections, maintenance walk-throughs, or emergency response situations.
• Regular exposure to facility operations including noise, dust, temperature fluctuations, and industrial equipment.
• Occasional off-hours or weekend work required for emergency facility responses or projects as needed
• Requires frequent use of a computer and other standard office equipment for documentation, communication, and coordination tasks

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Compensation: Base pay, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.