Pivotal Aero

Produces personal, public-service eVTOL aircraft

Software Engineering Intern

Embedded EngineeringPosted on Nov 9

Internship · Summer 2027Palo Alto, CA, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a similar field at an accredited university.
Experience with C/C++ and Python.
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at the headquarters office in Palo Alto, California.
Interest in the eVTOL industry and personal flight.
Ability to learn quickly and multitask in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
Strong verbal and written communication, organization, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

Assist in the design, implementation, and debugging of embedded firmware for microcontrollers and embedded processors.
Develop and test drivers, communication interfaces such as SPI, I²C, UART, and CAN, and real-time control algorithms.
Contribute to system-level software architecture, code reviews, and integration efforts.
Collaborate with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless device communication.
Optimize firmware performance for speed, power efficiency, and reliability.
Demonstrate a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.
Understand customer challenges, deliver meaningful value, and support customer success.
Seek and value diverse perspectives, build cross-functional relationships, foster trust through empathetic, fact-based communication, and commit to shared decisions.
Drive results with clarity and purpose, focus on priorities, adapt to change, take initiative, and own outcomes.
Navigate ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenge the status quo, and combine innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
Foster a respectful, professional, and supportive collaborative environment while balancing high expectations and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

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 aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

Responsibilities

Assist in the design, implementation, and debugging of embedded firmware for microcontrollers and embedded processors.
Develop and test drivers, communication interfaces (SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, etc.), and real-time control algorithms.
Contribute to system-level software architecture, code reviews, and integration efforts.
Collaborate with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless device communication.
Optimize firmware performance for speed, power efficiency, and reliability.

Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a Bachelors or Masters degree program in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or similar from an accredited university
Interest in eVTOL industry and personal flight
Experience in C/C++ and Python
Ability to learn quickly and multi-task in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
Strong verbal and written communication, organization, and leadership skills
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Attributes aligned with Core Values

Safety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.

Customer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success.

Work Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions.

Be the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes.

Embrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.

Respect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by 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 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.

About the Company

Pivotal Aero

Produces personal, public-service eVTOL aircraft

Pivotal Aero designs and manufactures light electric eVTOL aircraft for personal use, public service, and defense. Its Helix is a single-seat, all-electric aircraft built on a fourth-generation eVTOL platform with tilt-architecture, a simple single-stick control, triple modular redundancy, and a ballistic parachute for safety. The aircraft is intended to meet FAA Part 103 ultralight guidelines, though customers must complete flight training; it is sold in configurations with options and starts around $190,000, with shipments beginning in 2024. The company differentiates itself by moving from prototype work to a product-delivery business, building on its SkyKar/Opener lineage, and has demonstrated activity such as pre-production BlackFly deliveries to the U.S. Air Force and emergency medical deployments to show its reach in both civilian and official operations.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Palo Alto, CA
Founded: 2009

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