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Senior PX4 Developer

Rainmaker

El Segundo, CAFull-time$150–200K/yrPosted 4mo agoVerified open 3 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$150–200K/yr
Location
El Segundo, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Job overview

Rainmaker is hiring a Senior PX4 Developer. Rainmaker seeks a seasoned software engineer with a background in drone autonomy who is fast, thoughtful, autonomous, and opinionated, and is willing to relocate to El Segundo, California to contribute to their autonomous drone fleet and weather modification platform.

Key focus areas include Contribute to drone autonomy software stack end‑to‑end as a domain expert, Modify and extend PX4 firmware for custom use cases and flight behaviors, and Develop firmware for embedded systems across power, peripherals, and sensing.

Successful candidates bring 3+ Years Professional Software Development Experience. Important skills include PX4, ArduPilot, Rust, C++, Python, and ESP32. Preferred (not required): Embedded Systems Firmware Development, Gazebo, HITL, and SITL.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

PX4ArduPilotRustC++PythonESP32RP2040CANUARTI2CSPIZenohDDSROS 2MQTTMAVLinkDrone AutonomyReal-Time Pub/Sub MiddlewareAutopilot Integration PatternsEmbedded Systems Firmware DevelopmentGazeboHITLSITLFlight Test SupportLog AnalysisSoftware DebuggingFastThoughtfulAutonomousOpinionated

Qualifications

3+ Years Professional Software Development ExperienceRelocate to El Segundo, California

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
Relocation Assistance

Full job description

Rainmaker builds systems to make it rain. Our autonomous drone fleets and weather modification platform operate worldwide: expanding freshwater supplies, protecting agriculture, and proving that cloud seeding works at scale.

You are:

  • A seasoned software engineer with a background in drone autonomy

  • Fast, thoughtful, autonomous, and opinionated

  • Willing to relocate to El Segundo, California

What you’ll work on:

  • Contribute to our drone autonomy software stack end-to-end as a domain expert

  • Modify and extend PX4 firmware for custom use cases and flight behaviors

  • Develop firmware for embedded systems across power, peripherals, and sensing

  • Support simulation-based testing in Gazebo, HITL, and SITL environments

  • Assist with flight test support, log analysis, and software debugging

What we’re looking for:

  • 3+ years of professional experience developing software for PX4/ArduPilot systems

  • Experience shipping production code in Rust, plus C++ or Python

  • Experience developing firmware for ESP32, RP2040, or similar embedded targets

  • Comfort with low-level peripheral buses: CAN, UART, I2C, SPI

  • Experience with real-time pub/sub middleware (Zenoh, DDS, ROS 2, MQTT, or similar)

  • Working knowledge of MAVLink and typical autopilot integration patterns

Rainmaker is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Rainmaker is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Rainmaker participates in E-Verify. To learn more, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.gov . 150000 - 200000 USD a year

Benefits:

  • Significant stock options with high potential upside as an early-stage company
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
  • Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Paid parental leave for both parents
  • Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
  • Free EV charging at the HQ

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