We're building safety-enhancing technology for aviation that will save lives. Automated aviation systems will enable a future where air transportation is safer, more convenient and fundamentally transformative to the way goods — and eventually people — move around the planet. We are a team of mission-driven engineers with experience across aerospace, robotics and self-driving cars working to make this future a reality.

The FPGA Radar team is at the core of Reliable’s autonomy mission, responsible for the firmware for our next-generation radar system. Phased array radar systems have historically been reserved for specialized applications, but we’re making this technology affordable to enable Detect and Avoid for widespread commercial applications. The passion for revolutionary technology to make aviation safer motivates us to come in every day.

Responsibilities

As an FPGA Manager at Reliable Robotics, you’ll lead and grow the team responsible for the complex electronic hardware for our air-to-air radar. You’ll own the maturation of engineering processes to balance immediate engineering execution with formal DO-254 verification, supporting rapid integration and flight testing of the radar system. Working alongside other teams, you’ll develop and execute technical roadmaps, manage priorities, and ensure your team is successful. You will be responsible for building, developing, and empowering a high performance team with a shared vision of reliable, robust, and certifiable radar systems.

Basic Success Criteria

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related discipline
7+ years of professional experience in FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog)
3+ years in a technical leadership or people management role
Experience working on complex systems where hardware and software intersect

Preferred Criteria

Demonstrated success scaling teams and maturing development processes in a high-growth environment
Hands-on experience with radar algorithms, radar signal processing, integration, and test of a radar system
Exhibited full hardware product development from prototype to product in service
Experience working through the full lifecycle of a DO-254 level A/B certification program

This role is located onsite in Seattle, WA. Must be willing to travel 10% of the time.

This position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. An offer of employment will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to perform in compliance with U.S. export control laws.

All applicants are asked to provide documentation that legally establishes status as a U.S. person or non-U.S. person (and nationalities in the case of a non-U.S. person). Where the applicant is not a U.S. person, meaning not a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or not otherwise permitted to access the export-controlled technology without U.S. government authorization, the Company reserves the right not to apply for an export license for such applicants whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code requires authorization and may decline to proceed with the application process and any offer of employment on that basis.

At Reliable Robotics, our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, ancestry, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability or medical conditions, national origin, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment and promotion is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected]

About the company

Reliable Robotics builds automation systems for airplanes to enable autonomous flight. They focus on both cargo and passenger aircraft (Part 23 small planes and Part 25 larger jets) and work with customers by selling or licensing their systems and providing maintenance and support. Their technology integrates into aircraft to enable gate-to-gate autonomous operations, using a certification-forward process that emphasizes meeting regulatory safety standards early in development. This makes their systems safer and more reliable from the start and helps them gain regulatory approval faster. The company differentiates itself through a proven track record of fully automated gate-to-gate operations on a Part 23 aircraft and by combining aerospace engineering with robotics know-how to align with aviation rules. The goal is to make air travel safer, more affordable, and more accessible, while transforming how goods and people are moved around the world.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Late Stage VC

Total Funding

$330.6M

Headquarters

Mountain View, California

Founded

2017

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Reliable raised $160 million in April 2026, nearing a $1 billion valuation.
Albuquerque eIPP flights begin in 2026, targeting first paid autonomous cargo routes.
The Air Force awarded $17.4 million for Indo-Pacific logistics demonstrations, expanding validation.

What critics are saying

FAA certification still hinges on compliance evidence; missing flight data pushes commercialization toward 2028.
Albuquerque launch depends on Reliable Airlines execution; route delays postpone the first revenue flights.
If one uncrewed Caravan mishaps, regulators freeze Part 135 operations and the certification thesis collapses.

What makes Reliable Robotics unique

FAA has accepted Reliable’s certification plans, means of compliance, and closed issue papers in 2026.
Reliable’s Cessna 208 Caravan uses certified airframes, shrinking certification scope versus purpose-built aircraft.
Dual-use autonomy across FAA and Air Force programs creates shared flight data and credibility.

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Benefits

Stock options
Employee medical
401k contribution
Great co-workers
Casual work environment

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

-3%

Global Legal Post

Oct 13th, 2026

Reliable Robotics hires former ServiceNow GC as legal head.

Reliable Robotics hires former ServiceNow GC as legal head. Russ Elmer will build out the autonomous aircraft systems developer's legal function 13 October 2026 Russ Elmer Autonomous aviation business Reliable Robotics has hired Russ Elmer as its general counsel, a newly created position. Elmer joins from US artificial intelligence and cloud computing business ServiceNow, where he was GC before transitioning to a special counsel role earlier this year. At Reliable Robotics he will build the company's legal and regulatory infrastructure and capabilities, and provide strategic guidance to support its growth. He brings more than three decades of experience to the role. Mountain View, California-based Reliable Robotics develops autonomous aircraft systems for the commercial and defence aviation sectors. Advertisement Robert Rose, CEO and co-founder of Reliable Robotics, said: "Russ has a noteworthy track record with companies that have become commonplace in our daily lives. At Reliable, our goal is to make aviation more accessible to more people through autonomy. I'm excited to welcome Russ to the team as we certify and commercialise the technology that will make this vision a reality." Elmer spent just under eight years at ServiceNow, having previously been GC at peer-to-peer lending platform Lending Club. He had earlier in-house spells at Paypal and eBay, both as deputy GC. Elmer said: "I am inspired by Reliable's mission of making flight safer and more accessible. I have always been drawn to technology that makes everyday life better, and Reliable's cutting-edge flight control system is poised to do just that. I am thrilled to join the team to help translate our autonomous aviation technology into certified flights and to continue our culture of changing the world - the right way." LAW OVER BORDERS COMPARATIVE GUIDES Mediation Law Guide This first edition of the Law Over Borders Comparative Guide to Mediation considers the development of mediation and its role in the international disputes market, with contributions and insights from leading private practice dispute resolution lawyers and General Counsel... | 1yr. In other autonomous tech-related moves, back in April, subsea robotics business Nauticus Robotics hired Michael Ferrier as GC from energy company Berry Corporation, where he was assistant GC advising on commercial transactions, regulatory compliance and labour and employment matters. He replaced John Symington in the role. And in June last year, robot chef-maker Circus Group - which makes autonomous meal supply systems for the military - hired Sasha Borovik as GC from defence tech company Helsing.

Business Wire

Oct 9th, 2026

Reliable Robotics appoints Russ Elmer as general counsel to drive autonomous aircraft growth

Reliable Robotics, a company developing autonomous aircraft systems, has appointed Russ Elmer as general counsel. Elmer brings over 30 years of experience in regulated markets, having previously led legal functions at ServiceNow, Lending Club, PayPal, eBay, and E*TRADE Financial. In his new role, Elmer will build the legal infrastructure to support Reliable's expansion into commercial and defence markets. He will also guide the company through Federal Aviation Administration certification and commercialisation processes. The Mountain View, California-based company is developing automation technology designed to work on any aircraft in any airspace. Chief executive Robert Rose said Elmer's track record with prominent technology companies will help Reliable certify and commercialise its autonomous aviation technology.

MISRYOUM

Jun 12th, 2026

SpaceX went public—alumni startups chase its momentum | MISRYOUM

SpaceX alumni - SpaceX finally went public on Friday, a milestone that could make Elon Musk even richer and turn employees and early investors into Stay updated with the latest global news from MISRYOUM.

Business Wire

Apr 29th, 2026

Reliable Robotics advances safety-critical datalinks for uncrewed aircraft systems

Reliable Robotics has announced progress in advancing its safety-critical datalinks for uncrewed aircraft systems, known as the C2 Link System, through industry collaboration and flight testing. The system enables remotely piloted aircraft to integrate into the National Airspace System without requiring additional airport infrastructure. The Mountain View-based company's automated Cessna C208B will operate under Instrument Flight Rules across all airspace classes. The C2 Link System provides connectivity between aircraft and remote pilots, shared traffic awareness, and Air Traffic Control communications whilst complying with FAA standards. Reliable has partnered with Iridium and Viasat for satellite communications and uAvionix for air-to-ground datalinks. The company is contributing to RTCA working groups developing consensus standards and working with the FAA to demonstrate system integration, including recent testing through a NASA contract.

dot.LA

Apr 24th, 2026

Netflix doubles down on LA.

Netflix doubles down on LA. Apr 24 2026 Spotlight. Hey Los Angeles. Goodbye Coachella, hello Stagecoach. The desert doesn't stay quiet for long, and neither does LA's entertainment machine. This week, that momentum showed up in a more permanent way. Netflix is expanding its footprint in Los Angeles with a major move to take over and invest in Radford Studio Center, a historic production lot in Studio City. The company is planning a long-term transformation of the site, with upgrades to soundstages, production offices, and infrastructure designed to support the next generation of film and television production. It's a notable shift in a moment when production has been under pressure in California, with studios increasingly looking outside the state for cost advantages. Netflix going deeper in LA, and specifically into a legacy studio lot, signals a different kind of commitment. Not just to content, but to where that content actually gets made. And it comes at a time when the streaming wars have matured. Growth is harder, budgets are tighter, and the focus has shifted from scale at all costs to efficiency and control. Owning or operating more of the production environment gives Netflix tighter control over timelines, costs, and output. For Los Angeles, it's a reminder of what still anchors the city. Even as AI, defense tech, and infrastructure startups continue to rise, entertainment remains one of the few industries where LA isn't just competitive, it's foundational. Different headlines each week, but a consistent theme underneath them. Whether it's power, autonomy, or content, the companies that matter are investing in the layers they don't want to outsource. And in this case, that layer is Hollywood itself. Below are this week's venture deals, fund announcements, and acquisitions across LA Venture deals. LA Venture Funds * UP Partners and Calm Ventures participated in Reliable Robotics' $160M funding round, backing the autonomous aviation company as it advances pilotless flight technology for cargo and passenger aircraft. The round included a mix of new and existing investors, and the company plans to use the capital to accelerate certification efforts and expand deployment of its autonomous systems across commercial aviation. - learn more * Blue Heron Ventures participated in Tava Health's $40M Series C, backing the company as it expands its tech-enabled mental health platform into a more integrated, full-stack system for providers, employers, and health plans. The round was led by Centana Growth Partners with participation from existing investors, and the company plans to use the funding to roll out new AI-powered tools and broaden access to care while reducing administrative friction across the system. - learn more * Vamos Ventures participated in Zócalo Health's $15M Series A, backing the company as it scales its tech-enabled, community-based primary care model focused on high-need and underserved populations. The round was led by .406 Ventures with participation from existing and new investors, and the company plans to use the funding to expand its clinics and deepen partnerships with Medicaid programs as demand for accessible care grows. - learn more * Studio71 has been acquired by Fixated as part of a broader deal in which German media company ProSiebenSat.1 sold its North American creator business, giving Fixated a large-scale network of creators and podcast operations and significantly expanding its footprint as it continues an aggressive roll-up strategy in the creator economy. The move signals continued consolidation in the space, with Fixated building a more vertically integrated platform across talent management, content production, and distribution. - learn more * Bonsai Health has been acquired by ModMed, bringing its AI-powered patient engagement platform into a broader healthcare software ecosystem. The deal is aimed at integrating Bonsai's "agentic AI" capabilities into ModMed's platform to automate patient outreach, fill care gaps, and improve scheduling across a network of nearly 50,000 providers. - learn more

Reliable Robotics

FPGA Manager

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