Staff Software Engineer, AQNav

📋 Description

• • SandboxAQ is at the forefront of delivering groundbreaking AI solutions designed to tackle some of the world's most significant challenges. Our innovative Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) are driving advancements across critical sectors including life sciences, financial services, navigation, and cybersecurity. We are a globally distributed, tech-centric team comprised of leading experts in artificial intelligence, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and a wide array of other specialized fields. Emerging as an independent entity from Alphabet Inc. in 2022, SandboxAQ is backed by substantial growth capital from premier investors and supported by a distinguished braintrust of industry leaders. Our culture is deliberately cultivated to foster an environment of creativity, collaboration, and tangible impact. By making significant investments in our people, we are building a dynamic, global workforce poised to address monumental global challenges.
• • The AI Quantum Navigation (AQNav) team at SandboxAQ is seeking a highly accomplished Staff Software Engineer to play a pivotal role in the design, implementation, and rigorous testing of robust, production-grade software for our AQNav system. This role demands a candidate comfortable with owning the entire lifecycle of both internal and external-facing software systems and applications. You will leverage significant industry experience in bringing products through all phases, from initial conception and development through to production deployment and ongoing maintenance. We are specifically looking for an individual with deep expertise in FAA regulations and processes to help bring our cutting-edge technology to life.
• • In this role, you will collaborate closely with a diverse group of physicists and ML researchers, acting as a key liaison to streamline the path from development to flight. Your primary objective will be to ensure our innovations meet the highest industry standards for safety, reliability, and performance, particularly within the stringent requirements of avionics certification. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a transformative technology that has the potential to revolutionize navigation systems.
• • Key responsibilities will encompass the end-to-end design, implementation, and testing of complex software systems for a world-class AI quantum-based magnetic navigation system (AQNav). This work may involve developing and maintaining internal tooling and libraries essential for the team's productivity. You will be instrumental in integrating the AQNav system with various external avionics systems, supporting protocols such as A429, 1553, Ethernet, and CAN. Furthermore, you will be responsible for automating and streamlining complex, routine processes to enhance efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
• • A significant aspect of this role involves making critical software architectural decisions, particularly in the porting of existing systems from Python to C++ to enable the modular building of software components in formats like .dll, .bin, or .so. You will drive the ported software through to completion, ensuring all necessary artifacts for certification are meticulously prepared. This includes the development and refinement of requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), architectural diagrams, comprehensive test plans, and review documentation.
• • You will also be tasked with expanding existing C++ software to meet stringent military compliance standards and commercial certification requirements. Collaborating with software leads, you will help define and implement methodologies for streamlining development practices. This will involve leveraging Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) tools, homegrown solutions, and potentially AI-assisted tools to facilitate Software FAA certification under DO-178C and Military compliance under MIL-HDBK-516C.
• • Upholding the highest quality and efficiency standards for the team will be paramount. You will be an advocate for and implement aerospace industry best practices in standard software development, ensuring our processes are robust, repeatable, and compliant. This includes a deep understanding of software development lifecycles, testing methodologies, and quality assurance in safety-critical systems.
• • This role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, a commitment to technical excellence, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment. You will contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, sharing knowledge and mentoring junior engineers as needed. Your work will directly impact the success and certification of the AQNav system, a critical component of SandboxAQ's mission to advance humanity through technology.