FlightWave Aerospace - A Red Cat Company

Associate Software Engineer

FlightWave Aerospace - A Red Cat Company  •  $77k - $144k/yr  •  Torrance, CA (Onsite)  •  4 months ago
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Job Description

Job Location: Torrance, CA 90503
Salary Range: $77,000.00 - $144,000.00 Salary

Position Summary
We are seeking an Associate Software Engineer to help build and support Gantry, our internal manufacturing software platform used to scale the production and testing of UAS products. This is an entry-level role focused on developing reliable, easy-to-use tools that operators and technicians rely on every day on the production floor.
In this role, you will contribute to QT-based desktop applications, test automation, and manufacturing utilities that support assembly, calibration, validation, and bring-up of flight hardware. You’ll work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to translate real production needs into intuitive software workflows that improve efficiency, reduce error, and enable smooth scaling of manufacturing operations.
This position is ideal for someone early in their career who enjoys building practical software with real-world impact, learning how software interfaces with hardware, and growing within a production-focused engineering environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop QT-based applications for production tools, including operator-facing UIs, to improve usability and speed up workflows.
- Automate interactions with hardware interfaces (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART, IP-based tools) to streamline testing and validation of electronic components.
- Work with MAVLink protocols to integrate production tools with uas products.
- Create instructional documentation to train operators on the use of testing and validation tools.
- Physical setup of electronics test stations
- Develop technician-friendly tools to improve upon command line interfaces for programming, and testing of hardware
- Support hardware build, develop test software, debug, validate, and fine-tune the test station for release to production
- Draft instructional documentation to support operator training and use of the stations you develop
- Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or relevant fields.
- 1–2 years of experience contributing to or working within a larger software codebase
- Expertise in Python and QT framework for building GUI-based tools; additional experience with C++, C,, or other languages is a highly desired.
- Experience with git
- Expertise building backend APIs, FastAPI, database interactions.
- Experience with electronics test equipment (multimeters, power supplies, data acquisition devices)
- Familiarity with hardware interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, and IP-related networking tools (e.g., ifconfig).
- Strong understanding of MAVLink protocols and experience with PX4 drone stacks.
- Hands-on skills with diagnostics software, hardware, tools, instruments, general electro-mechanical/mechatronic systems, and measurement techniques
Additional Desired

Qualifications
- Exposure to a wide variety of test systems, production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (pressure sensors, temperature sensors, current meters, data acquisition devices, etc.)
- Experience with manufacturing in aerospace, drone, or consumer electronics industries
- Experience with conan build system and yocto.
- UI/UX design experience focused on operator interfaces for manufacturing tools.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, as required by the duties and responsibilities.
- Adeptness in moving around the office, manufacturing facilities, and other workspaces.

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: $77k – $144k, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.
FlightWave Aerospace - A Red Cat Company

About FlightWave Aerospace - A Red Cat Company

FlightWave Aerospace is a division of Red Cat, focused on delivering extended short-range, endurance-optimized uncrewed aircraft for mission-critical operations. Best known for the Edge 130 Hybrid VTOL Tricopter, FlightWave combines advanced aerodynamics, modular payload integration, and reliable autonomy to support ISR, mapping, and tactical reconnaissance missions in demanding environments. As part of the Red Cat family, FlightWave Aerospace brings proven engineering and scalable production together to provide operators with resilient, field-ready aerial systems designed for real-world performance.

Industry
Unknown
Company Size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Santa Monica, CA
Year Founded
2014
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