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  3. Senior Software Engineer, Advanced Pilot Assistant Software (Autonomy/Robotics)
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Role description

Senior Software Engineer, Advanced Pilot Assistant Software (Autonomy/Robotics)

Beacon AI logoBeacon AI
TypeFull-time
WorkplaceHybrid
SenioritySenior
Salary
$173,000–$225,000
LocationSan Carlos, CA
Posted10/3/2026
Engineering

About Beacon AI

We’re a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators building an AI platform to make flying safer, more efficient, and more capable. Backed by top investors, we’ve secured a dozen Department of Defense contracts and partnered with major airlines to deliver mission-critical systems. We operate without silos or heavy processes. Small, focused teams own what they build, ship quickly, and learn fast, pushing the boundaries of how humans and AI work together in aviation.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to help design and build the advanced pilot assistance software that supports our flight safety platform. In this role, you will develop and deploy autonomy, robotics, and embedded systems that operate in real-world, safety-critical aviation environments. You will contribute hands-on across the stack, working closely with senior engineers to deliver reliable systems that support time-sensitive decision-making for human operators.

What You’ll Do

  • Design, build, and deploy robotic and embedded software components used in advanced pilot assistance systems.

  • Contribute to autonomy-related features or subsystems from development through deployment, with a focus on reliability and performance.

  • Write, test, and maintain high-quality Python and/or C++ code across autonomy, systems, and embedded components.

  • Integrate software with hardware, sensors, and perception or data ingestion pipelines to support autonomous and operator-in-the-loop decision-making.

  • Help optimize software for edge compute environments, including managing latency and resource usage.

  • Participate in testing, validation, and deployment efforts to ensure systems meet safety-critical and mission-critical requirements.

  • Collaborate in design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on development with senior engineers and cross-functional teams.

What Will Make You Successful

  • 5+ years of experience designing or building robotic software and/or embedded systems, or equivalent experience through projects, internships, or coursework.

  • Experience writing production-quality code in C++ and/or Python.

  • Familiarity with real-time or interactive systems that support users making time-sensitive decisions.

  • Exposure to autonomy-related systems such as planning, decision-making, or reasoning, and working with sensor or perception pipelines.

  • Some experience working with embedded or edge compute platforms and debugging hardware/software interactions.

  • Ability to learn quickly and contribute effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.

Bonus Points

  • Experience working on safety-critical or mission-critical systems, including aviation or robotics domains.

  • Exposure to robot operating systems or middleware such as ROS or DDS.

  • Interest in human-in-the-loop systems, simulation environments, or real-time control systems.

  • Background or strong interest in autonomy, robotics, or advanced mobility.

Work Location
This is a hybrid role based in San Carlos, CA, with 3+ days per week onsite and the option to work remotely on remaining days.

Perks & Benefits (Full-Time Employees)

  • Healthcare: 100%* of employee medical premiums covered; 25% for dependents

  • Time Off: 3 weeks PTO plus 13+ paid company holidays

  • 401(k): Offered (no current employer match, but we are committed to enhancing this benefit in the future)

Due to U.S. export control regulations, we can only hire U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted asylum or refugee status). We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa transfers. All work must be performed in the United States.

Beacon AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit harassment or discrimination of any kind in the workplace and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

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Company info

Beacon AI logo

Beacon AI

Building R2-D2 for pilots: hardware-lite aviation AI for safer, more efficient flight

Beacon AI is building R2-D2 for pilots: an AI-powered teammate designed to help professional crews see what matters, anticipate risk and make better decisions. Our vision is an aviation sector free from human error. That is an ambitious long-term goal, but our path is practical: we are hyper-focused on developing assistance for professional pilots operating certified aircraft today, earning trust through testing and real-world evidence. We call this Autonomy 2.0. Rather than pursuing pilot replacement through major hardware retrofits, we focus on hardware-lite, software- and data-centric assistance that works alongside existing aircraft systems, with the crew in command. Murdock brings AI assistance into the cockpit. Lighthouse turns flight data into useful intelligence for crews, operators and safety teams. Together, they connect what happens in flight with what aviation can learn afterward. Our work spans applied AI, autonomy, edge computing, cloud platforms, human factors and sa

Private companySeries AEx-Scale AI foundersIn the newsAI-product
Founded2021
HQSan Carlos, United States
Size11–50 employees
IndustrySoftware Development
Latest fundingSeries A · Aug 21, 2024
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Beacon AI says its Murdock box flew aboard three operational KC-46A Pegasus tankers for five flights and about 20 hours, reading the certified avionics buses and advising the crew without modifying flight-critical systems or taking control.
  • Exclusive: Beacon AI's pilot assistant takes flight with Air Force