Activate JobCopilot
Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.
Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been in development, preparing to enter the market for over 10 years. We recently announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, planned for general release and scalable production in 2025.
Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of technology investment today. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. We invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.
We are looking for a hands-on Firmware Test Engineer to help validate the embedded systems that power our aircraft. You’ll work closely with electrical and firmware engineers to verify functionality, reliability, and safety across key subsystems including motor control, battery management, avionics, and flight controllers. Your focus will be writing, executing, and automating test procedures to ensure our systems are robust and flight-ready.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bridging hardware and software, understands embedded platforms, and can work across lab setups, HIL (hardware-in-the-loop), and flight environments.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute test plans and procedures for embedded software across aircraft subsystems (ESCs, BMS, avionics, controllers).
- Write Python/C test scripts for automation and logging of HIL and bench-based testing.
- Collaborate with firmware and hardware engineers to define requirements, interfaces, and test coverage.
- Support bring-up and validation of new boards and firmware builds.
- Perform regression testing, fault injection, and robustness validation in the lab.
- Participate in safety-critical reviews and ensure embedded features meet reliability and performance expectations.
- Help maintain test infrastructure: HIL rigs, simulators, and custom fixtures.
- Track issues, bugs, and test results using Jira and internal tools.
Minimum Qualifications
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
- 3–6 years of experience validating embedded firmware or hardware systems.
- Strong understanding of embedded systems and interfaces (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, ADC/DAC).
- Experience writing test scripts (Python preferred) and automating test workflows.
- Familiarity with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal generators, and embedded debugging tools.
- Ability to read schematics, interpret datasheets, and collaborate with hardware teams.
- Experience with version control and task tracking tools (e.g., Git, Jira, JAMA).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with safety-critical systems (automotive, aerospace, medical).
- Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test setups.
- Prior experience with motor controllers, BMS, or flight control systems.
- Understanding of fault tolerance, watchdogs, bootloaders, and power management.
- Exposure to test standards for aviation or automotive (DO-178, ISO 26262, etc.).
Attributes to Core Values
- Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
- Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
- Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
- Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
- Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
- Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.
Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Your email job alert is now active!
