Full-Time
Embedded Systems & Robotics Engineer
MAG Aerospace
1,001-5,000 employees
Operates ISR aircraft and UAS services
No salary listed
No H1B Sponsorship
Aberdeen, MD, USA + 4 more
More locations: Southern Pines, NC, USA | Fairfax, VA, USA | Titusville, FL, USA | Newport News, VA, USA
Hybrid
Hybrid role; on-site as needed at Fairfax HQ or nearby satellite offices (Aberdeen, MD; Titusville, FL; Newport News, VA; Carthage, NC).
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance, UK Citizenship, UK Top Secret Clearance Required
 Mechanical Engineering (1) |
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- Experience: 5+ years embedded systems and/or robotics development experience
- Strong proficiency in C and C++ for real-time for resource-constrained systems
- Expert proficiency and practical knowledge of Python for scripting, tooling, and rapid prototyping
- Experience with ROS/ROS2 for robotics development
- Hands-on experience with autonomous vehicle platforms
- Proficiency with CAD tools and 3D printing/fabrication
- Understanding of control theory and path planning algorithms
- Experience with hardware communication protocols (CAN, I2C, SPI, UART)
- Familiarity with MOSA/SOSA standards and open architectures
- Experience with simulation tools (Gazebo, MATLAB/Simulink)
- Enhance or augment embedded software for autonomous vehicles (UGV, UAV, UUV, USV) to extend baseline capabilities
- Implement sensor fusion for autonomous navigation (LIDAR, cameras, IMU, sonar)
- Design control systems for robotic platforms and actuators
- Create hardware abstraction layers following MOSA/SOSA standards
- Develop digital twin simulations for hardware-in-the-loop testing
- Implement real-time operating systems (RTOS) and safety-critical software
- Develop and verify safety-critical software in accordance with established standards and best practices
- Design and fabricate custom hardware solutions using 3D printing and rapid prototyping
- Apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices using SysML/AADL
- Lead field testing and validation of autonomous systems
- Support deployment and troubleshooting in operational environments
- Create hardware test fixtures and validation procedures
- Document MOSA compliance and interface specifications
- Train operators on system capabilities and limitations
- Experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms for autonomous systems
- Military/defense robotics experience (ROS-M, JAUS)
- Hands-on experience with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks) and/or embedded Linux (Yocto, Buildroot)
- Knowledge of digital twin technologies and real-time simulation
- Familiarity with DO-178C, DO-254, or similar safety standards
- Experience with swarm robotics and distributed control
- Understanding of SLAM and computer vision for navigation
- Experience with environmental testing (MIL-STD-810)
- Pilot's license or experience with FAA Part 107 operations
MAG Aerospace provides aerial surveillance and situational awareness services using a fleet of over 200 manned and unmanned aircraft. The company operates and maintains these aircraft while integrating communication and intelligence systems to collect and deliver real-time data to federal, international, and commercial clients. Unlike many competitors that focus solely on hardware or software, MAG manages the entire process from flight operations and maintenance to technical training and global mission support. Its goal is to enhance the operational effectiveness of its customers by providing a complete, end-to-end solution for gathering and analyzing information from the air.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Woodbridge, Virginia
Founded
2009
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Chris Pateras joined February 28, 2026, adding 30 years Special Operations expertise.
- MAG won $243M US Army C-WIPS task order for C5ISR integration.
- MAG partners with L3Harris for Army ATHENA-R enhanced ISR aircraft.
What critics are saying
- L3Harris undercuts MAG on ATHENA-R with superior integration in 6-12 months.
- SAS captures $900M Space Force IDIQ using advanced AI in 12-18 months.
- Airbus cancels MAG's AH-125 weapons integration subcontract in 3-6 months.
What makes MAG Aerospace unique
- MAG leads independent full-spectrum C5ISR services with 200+ aircraft globally.
- MAG operates 30+ Operations Centers on six continents for ISR missions.
- MAG delivers turnkey manned/unmanned ISR operations and training worldwide.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Professional Development Budget
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Chris Pateras joins MAG. 28February 2026 MAG Aerospace, a premier innovator of defense technology solutions that enable decision superiority, is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Pateras as Vice President for Strategy, Growth, and Operations. Chris joins MAG Aerospace with more than 30 years of Special Operations experience and 25 years of deep, on-the-ground engagement throughout Latin America. Over the course of his career, he has supported complex security cooperation initiatives, counter-narcotics operations, counterterrorism efforts, and partner force development across the region. His extensive regional expertise, combined with decades of operational leadership in high-risk, dynamic environments, positions him to make an immediate impact within the organization. Throughout his distinguished career in Special Operations, Pateras has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to mission success, strategic planning, and building enduring partnerships. His 25 years working across Latin America and elsewhere strengthened interoperability with allied forces, enhanced regional security collaboration, and advanced U.S. national security objectives. In his new role, Pateras will contribute to advancing MAG's defense technology solutions to enable customers to gain a decision advantage across the globe.
Gogo worked with MAG Aerospace, a premier innovator of defense technology, to rigorously test gate-to-gate continuous operations through all planned maneuvers, including standard taxi, take-off, and landing, as well as more challenging racetrack, figure-of-eight patterns, ascent/descent profiles, and hard bank movements up to 30 degrees.
Zapata AI announced the first commercial agreement of its partnership with MAG Aerospace.
Joint pursuit of Space Systems Command opportunities are part of broader efforts to enable advanced data analytics at the tactical space edgeCARY, N.C., Sept. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global analytics leader SAS and MAG Aerospace are teaming up to pursue opportunities from the recently awarded US Space Force Space Systems Command $900 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. SAS and MAG Aerospace will bring expertise in AI, analytics and Joint All-Domain Command and Control to the space realm, enabling the Space Force to analyze and use all the data coming in from its vast network of radars and sensors.Space Force tracking radars and other sensors produce incredible amounts of data from thousands of locations Tweet this MAG Aerospace is a leader in delivering Full-Spectrum Joint Domain Command and Control Services to the US government As part of a $900 million US Space Force IDIQ contract, SAS and MAG Aerospace will bring expertise in AI, analytics and Joint All-Domain Command and Control to the space realm, enabling the Space Force to analyze and use all the data coming in from its vast network of radars and sensors.The Space Systems Command IDIQ contract is in support of Space Command and Control (C2). Space Force tracking radars and other sensors produce incredible amounts of data from thousands of locations. Last year, the Space Command tracked more than 47,000 objects in space. There is a critical need to convert this proliferation of diverse sensor data accurately and rapidly into usable, real-time intelligence for mission success
Melissa Logsdon, former chief people officer at IronNet Cybersecurity, has been appointed chief human resources officer at MAG Aerospace.