Lead Software Engineer – Aircraft

Manna Drone Delivery

. Drive the technical strategy for onboard and embedded aircraft systems .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeDublin • IrelandSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates deep expertise in C++ and Embedded C/C++, with a strong background in defining architecture for safety-critical systems. Proven ability to lead technical strategy, mentor engineers, and manage complex multi-project delivery in aviation and robotics domains.

Highest-signal resume keywords

C++ ProgrammingEmbedded C/C++ DevelopmentTechnical LeadershipSafety-Critical Systems ExperienceArchitecture Definition

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Embedded SystemsSystems-Level PythonDebugging Across Software-Hardware BoundariesDesign ReviewsRisk ManagementContinuous ImprovementPower SystemsBattery ManagementCharging FirmwareReliability Engineering

Soft Skills

MentoringCoachingPeople Management

Tools & Technologies

Flight Stacks (ArduPilot/PX4)ROS/ROS2Real-Time Control Systems

Industry Keywords

AviationAerospaceRoboticsAutomotiveIndustrial Systems

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Drive the technical strategy for onboard and embedded aircraft systems
Set long-term architecture direction
Lead high-stakes multi-project delivery
Mentor senior engineers across the wider software organisation
Define the architecture for aircraft onboard software and supporting firmware
Set standards for reliability, performance, and scalability across aircraft systems
Contribute to architectural decisions spanning multiple teams, including Aircraft, Airspace, and QA
Lead design reviews for critical components in safety-critical environments
Ensure roadmap execution while balancing near-term operational needs with long-term system health
Own risk management, rollout strategy, incident learnings, and continuous improvement for aircraft software
Partner with Hardware, Autonomy, Operations, and Aviation stakeholders
Provide day-to-day technical leadership and coaching to software engineers
Support hiring and onboarding to grow team capacity

Requirements

What you’ll need

8–12+ years of professional software engineering experience, with significant time spent on embedded, robotics, or safety-critical systems
Deep expertise in C++ and Embedded C/C++; strong systems-level Python experience beneficial
Track record defining architecture across complex, hardware-adjacent software environments
Demonstrated technical leadership across multiple complex projects, including setting architecture direction and owning delivery outcomes
Experience working in safety-critical domains such as aviation, aerospace, robotics, automotive, or industrial systems
Strong debugging instincts across software ↔ hardware boundaries
History of mentoring senior engineers; people-management, growing technical capability across teams
Experience leading design reviews, risk assessments, and incident learnings in high-reliability environments
Experience with autonomy, avionics, drones, robotics, or real-time control systems
Familiarity with flight stacks (ArduPilot/PX4), ROS/ROS2, or equivalent embedded platforms
Experience with power systems, battery management, charging firmware, or similar hardware-integrated domains
Background in safety cases or reliability engineering for operational systems
This role is based in Dublin, Ireland