Senior Software Architect - Embedded Linux (m/f/d)

About the role

At Quantum Systems, we develop cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems that redefine autonomous flight for defense and governmental applications. Our flagship platform, Reliant, combines long-endurance VTOL capabilities, advanced onboard AI, and resilient navigation technologies to operate reliably in complex and contested environments. As a Senior Software Architect – Embedded Linux (m/f/d), you will define and evolve the architecture of the embedded Linux software stack that powers our airborne computing platforms. You will provide technical leadership across multiple engineering disciplines, ensuring that our embedded systems are scalable, secure, and maintainable while meeting the demanding requirements of mission-critical autonomous flight. Working closely with software, hardware, avionics, AI, and systems engineering teams, you will shape the technical direction of our next-generation UAV platforms from concept through operational deployment. What is your Day to Day Mission: Define, own, and continuously evolve the architecture of the embedded Linux application software stack for our next-generation autonomous UAV platforms. Drive architectural decisions across Linux-based onboard computing systems, ensuring scalability, modularity, security, and long-term maintainability. Collaborate closely with the Lead Software Architect to align architectural strategies across embedded software, flight control, AI, navigation, and system-level components. Establish software architecture principles, design patterns, and development standards for embedded Linux applications and middleware. Lead the integration of functional and hardware abstraction layers, communication interfaces, and application software into a cohesive embedded platform. Evaluate and introduce technologies, frameworks, and tools that improve software quality, performance, security, and developer productivity. Guide engineering teams through architectural reviews, technical decision-making, and implementation of complex software solutions. Work closely with Hardware, Avionics, Systems, and Flight Test teams to ensure seamless integration between software and airborne computing platforms. Support platform evolution by driving improvements in cybersecurity and onboard system diagnostics. Contribute to system validation activities including hardware integration, laboratory testing, flight testing, and root-cause analysis of complex software issues. Mentor junior and senior engineers and foster architectural excellence through design reviews, knowledge sharing, and engineering best practices across the global software organization. What you bring to the team: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. 8+ years of professional experience in embedded software development, including several years defining software architectures for complex embedded Linux systems. Extensive experience designing Embedded Linux platforms for safety-critical or high-reliability products such as UAVs, aerospace, robotics, automotive, or industrial systems. Deep expertise in Linux application architecture, including user space, kernel concepts, bootloaders (e.g. U-Boot), Board Support Packages (BSPs), device trees, and system services. Strong programming skills in C++ and C; experience with Rust and Python is considered an advantage. Proven experience designing modular software architectures for distributed and resource-constrained embedded systems. Strong understanding of embedded communication technologies including Ethernet, CAN, SPI, I²C, UART, USB, and networking protocols. Experience with Yocto, Buildroot, cross-compilation toolchains, CMake, Docker, Git, and modern CI/CD pipelines. Solid knowledge of multithreading, concurrency, real-time concepts, performance optimization, and system security. Experience leading architectural reviews, defining technical roadmaps, and guiding multid

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