Embedded Systems Engineer

Matternet is building the future of delivery with autonomous drone networks that move critical goods faster, cleaner, and at lower cost. We work with partners across healthcare, logistics, food, and retail to deliver everything from medical items to everyday essentials, safely and reliably. We’re seeking an Embedded Systems Engineer to make the boards, sensors, and software on our aircraft and ground stations work together as reliable systems. Working at the boundary between hardware and software, you’ll define interfaces and requirements, bring up and integrate new boards and peripherals, and prove they work through bench, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight testing. You’ll work closely with our Electrical, Mechanical, and Onboard Software teams, alongside senior engineers who will help you grow your scope. In this role, you will:

• Integrate boards, sensors, actuators, and communication links into working subsystems on our aircraft and ground stations
• Define and document subsystem requirements and interfaces, including messages, timing, power, and failure behavior across CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, and BLE
• Bring up new boards and hardware revisions with Electrical, and write the firmware and test code needed to exercise them
• Plan and run subsystem verification, from bench and hardware-in-the-loop testing through flight test, including test plans, acceptance criteria, and sign-off
• Contribute to component and sensor selection and trade studies, and review schematics and designs with Electrical
• Triage integration and field issues across hardware, firmware, and comms, and collaborate with Electrical, Mechanical, Onboard Software, Operations, Safety, and Production

Requirements

• BS in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering, or a related field, and 3+ years in embedded systems, hardware/software integration, or test
• Working proficiency in C/C++ for firmware and test tooling, plus Python for automation and data analysis
• Solid knowledge of embedded communication protocols (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART) and how to debug them
• Comfort reading board-level schematics and datasheets, and debugging at the signal level using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
• Experience writing requirements, test plans, and acceptance criteria, and verifying a subsystem against them
• Ability to support flight test needs and debug systems rapidly at our flight test facility
• Clear technical communication and strong cross-disciplinary teamwork in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• UAV, autonomous robotics, aerospace, or other safety-critical regulated experience
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop test setups and test automation
• Familiarity with an autopilot stack such as ArduPilot or PX4, and UAV/avionics technologies (ADS-B, GPS/GNSS, LiDAR, radar)
• Experience with embedded Linux on ARM, an RTOS, or bare-metal firmware
• Experience with power systems, battery management systems, or smart battery ICs
• Experience with environmental, EMI/EMC, or reliability testing
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices such as interface control documents, requirements traceability, or FMEA
• Experience using AI coding assistants to accelerate development
• Hands-on PCB, wiring harness, or lab prototyping experience

Benefits

At Matternet, we’re advancing a new era of logistics, one where autonomous drones deliver what matters faster, cleaner, and more efficiently. We know our mission is challenging, but it's worth it, and we are committed to taking care of the people who make it possible.

• Compensation: The expected starting range for this role is $160,000–$205,000, based on San Francisco Bay Area market data. This range reflects the target starting pay for candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the role. Final compensation will depend on factors such as your experience, skills, level, location, and potential impact.
• Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, our compensation packages include equity and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), unlimited paid time off, company holidays, and a 401(k) plan.