Senior Firmware Engineer

United States·Palo AltoFull-time (Exempt)senior

EngineeringEmbedded EngineerFirmware EngineerSoftware Engineering

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Quick Summary

Overview

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

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Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in early 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

As part of the Firmware Engineering team, you will drive the development and maintenance of the manufacturing test systems used for our eVTOL aircraft.

Design and implement full avionics embedded firmware.

Oversee firmware architecture for all avionics.

Ensure development can conform to DO178-C

Oversee and conduct trade studies between different design considerations

Design and recommend sensor interfaces

Implement code and V&V

Collaborate with the systems engineering and other engineering specialty teams to define requirements related to the eVTOL aircraft and systems safety

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

5+ years of professional engineering experience

Experience with DO178-C regulatory Process

One or more products from concept to aircraft production.

Extensive experience with low level interfaces e.g., SPI, I2C, CAN FD, and UARTs

Experience writing firmware (C/C++) for MCUs in embedded systems

Experience writing python scripts and python development

Experience reading circuit schematics with schematic capture tools

Proficient at troubleshooting circuits with appropriate lab tools

5+ years of relevant experience with embedded development

M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science or Engineering.

Experience with statistical analysis

Experience taking at least one product through the entire development process

FAA Aircraft Certification Process

Defense Airworthiness Process for Software

Prototype and medium volume manufacturing

BLDC Motor Controller integration/testing

Lithium-based battery testing/monitoring

Interest in RC planes, quadcopters, or aviation

Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.

Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.

Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.

Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.

Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.

Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.