Principal Software Engineer

Company Overview

Performance Drone Works (PDW) builds technologies for the warfighter, by the warfighter. Born out of the Drone Racing League, our roots are competitive, our mindset is tactical, and our mission is clear: deliver purpose-built unmanned systems to those who serve. We are not here to sell vapor; we build and ship real capabilities for real missions.

Now, we're entering a new phase of growth and are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to contribute to the next wave of system and tool development for our upcoming product lines The ideal candidate will thrive working in an innovative and fast-paced work environment, have excellent critical thinking skills, and will play a principal role in building the systems that integrate with our deployment environments, crafting specialized tools for engineering research, and supporting new technologies that aid towards the advancement of sUAS functional systems.

What You'll Do

The ideal candidate will thrive working in an innovative and fast-paced work environment, able to deal with problems on the fly, and deliver thoughtfully designed and highly adaptable systems.

• Provide technical leadership across the full software development lifecycle, from initial concept and architecture to deployment, ensuring scalable, high-performance, and maintainable solutions.
• Architect, design, and deliver complex software systems using C++ and Qt, serving as a technical authority and decision-maker across multiple projects and teams.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders, including Product, Design, and Engineering leadership, to align technical direction with business goals and user needs.
• Mentor and guide senior and mid-level engineers, setting coding standards, reviewing designs, and sharing best practices to elevate team performance and knowledge.
• Independently drive complex, high-impact initiatives, breaking down ambiguous problems into actionable solutions and delivering across multiple platforms.
• Lead technical discussions and design reviews, ensuring code quality, architectural integrity, and alignment with long-term product and platform strategy.
• Support application deployments in the field, including hands-on involvement with product testing, demonstrations, live debugging, and troubleshooting of real-world issues.
• Continuously evaluate and improve system performance, proactively identifying bottlenecks, optimizing code paths, and mitigating security vulnerabilities.
• Contribute to the evolution of the engineering culture, championing innovation, quality, and engineering excellence across the organization.

Qualifications

• Expert-level C++ development skills, with a deep understanding of advanced programming concepts, performance optimization, and modern C++ standards.
• Proven experience designing and architecting large-scale, cross-platform software systems using Qt and C++.
• Extensive hands-on experience with the Qt framework, including QtWidgets and QML, and a strong understanding of the Qt meta-object system.
• Demonstrated success building and deploying cross-platform applications (Windows, Linux, and/or Android) using Qt.
• Deep expertise in designing intuitive, responsive user interfaces with QML, and integrating with backend systems using REST and JSON.
• Strong understanding of build systems and configuration tools, including CMake, QMake, and compiler toolchains for multiple target platforms.
• Fluency in using version control (Git) and experience with branching strategies, tagging, and collaborative workflows.
• Proficiency with issue tracking and project management tools, such as Jira, and familiarity with agile development methodologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex ideas and influence stakeholders across disciplines.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, or related field, with 10+ years of professional software development experience, including 2+ years in a technical leadership or architectural role.

Preferred

• Background or hands-on experience with UAVs, aircraft, robotics, or hobby drones.
• Experience with embedded Linux development and Android platform integration.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 25 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment as well as various electronic power supplies and test equipment. Must be physically capable of the assigned duties.

Work Environment

This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office and manufacturing equipment and may require occasional travel to customer locations or facilities. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross-differential collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities. Standard work hours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand.

ITAR Requirement

In compliance with International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) or individuals granted asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Compensation and Benefits

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.
• On-site fitness center

EEO Statement

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.