Red Cat Holdings · 1 day ago
Staff Software Engineer - Controls
Torrance, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$176K/yr - $198K/yr
5+ years expRed Cat Holdings is a company focused on building high-performance, control-critical embedded software. The Staff Software Engineer — Controls will design, implement, and optimize real-time C++ systems for gimbal and VTOL platforms, ensuring high reliability and performance.
BlockchainDrone ManagementLogisticsSaaSSupply Chain Management
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and maintain real-time embedded C++ software that executes control loops for VTOL and gimbal systems, with a focus on deterministic performance, timing, and robustness in production environments
Implement and tune flight control behaviors—including attitude, position, and transition modes—directly in firmware for multirotor and VTOL platforms, translating system dynamics into reliable, testable software
Define and uphold modern C++ best practices for embedded and real-time systems, including memory safety, concurrency models, unit testing, and CI workflows appropriate for control-critical codebases
Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and hardware teams to define clean software-hardware interfaces, integrate sensors and actuators, and support bring-up, HIL testing, and performance iteration
Build and maintain software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test benches; analyze telemetry and performance data to guide tuning, debugging, and system-level improvements
Contribute to gimbal product development by implementing motor control logic, sensor fusion interfaces, and low-level firmware that enables stable, high-bandwidth motion control
Drive critical control-adjacent software from design through deployment, balancing performance, safety, and maintainability across the embedded stack
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Control Systems Expertise: 5+ years designing and implementing control algorithms for gimbals, stabilizers, or aerial vehicles
Embedded Robotics Background: Proven experience shipping embedded robotics products in C++ on microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M, STM32, etc.)
Strong C++ Skills: Deep understanding of modern C++ (14/17/20), real-time constraints, memory management, and synchronization primitives
Geometry & Transformations: Solid grasp of 3D kinematics, coordinate frames, quaternions, and homogeneous transforms
Frame-Level Expertise: Experience in one or more of attitude control, sensor fusion, target tracking or other complex frame-transformation problems, perception, and related system performance metrics
Sensor Integration Expertise: Hands-on experience integrating feedback sensors, such as IMUs, encoders, and related sensing hardware, into drive-system control loops
Preferred
PX4 Flight Stack: Hands-on with PX4 middleware, MAVLink, and QGroundControl integration
Simulation & URDF: Experience working with URDF-based modeling and robotics simulation environments
Hardware Debugging: Proficient with oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and hardware debugging tools
RTOS Proficiency: Experience with FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar real-time operating systems
Benefits
Generous annual equity package
Potential bonuses
Company
Red Cat Holdings
Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$270.05MKey Investors
The Lind Partners
2025-09-18Post Ipo Equity· $172.5M
2025-06-17Post Ipo Equity· $46.75M
2025-04-10Post Ipo Equity· $30M
Leadership Team
Jeff Thompson
Founder and CEO
C
Christian Morrison
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2026-01-15
2026-01-14
Company data provided by crunchbase