MTS IV, Software Engineer - Platform & Cloud-Native Systems

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is seeking a highly experienced Member of Technical Staff (MTS) IV - Software Engineer to design, develop, and architect advanced cloud-native software systems that power next-generation In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) and distributed edge platforms.

This role emphasizes strong software engineering fundamentals, hands-on development, and scalable system design. The MTS IV engineer will build robust, production-grade software applications and platform services that enable GitOps-driven deployments, Kubernetes-based infrastructure automation, and configuration transformation systems across ground and aircraft environments.

This is a senior individual contributor role with deep ownership of software architecture, code quality, system reliability, and technical direction.

Core Software Engineering Responsibilities

• Software Design & Architecture
• Architect and design scalable, modular, and maintainable software systems using modern design principles and patterns.
• Translate complex functional and system requirements into well-defined technical designs.
• Drive API design, service contracts, and integration strategies across distributed components.
• Ensure software solutions are resilient, testable, observable, and production-ready.
• Hands-on Software Development
• Write high-quality, performant, and secure production code (Go and/or Python preferred).
• Implement microservices, controllers, automation agents, and platform tooling.
• Develop reusable libraries and frameworks to improve engineering productivity.
• Conduct code reviews and enforce engineering best practices.
• Refactor and optimize existing systems for performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Testing & Quality Engineering
• Implement comprehensive unit, integration, and system-level tests.
• Build automated validation pipelines and continuous integration workflows.
• Support system testing efforts, analyze results, and drive defect resolution.
• Promote engineering discipline around versioning, backward compatibility, and release stability.

Platform & Cloud-Native Engineering

• Kubernetes & GitOps Systems
• Design and implement Kubernetes-based platform components (controllers, operators, automation tooling).
• Build GitOps workflows using ArgoCD or similar tools to enable declarative system management.
• Develop Helm-based packaging and automated artifact promotion pipelines.
• Design cluster lifecycle automation and fleet-level configuration management systems.
• Infrastructure as Code & Automation
• Create infrastructure automation frameworks for provisioning, configuration, and upgrades.
• Develop tooling that transforms hardware/software configuration inputs into validated system-level runtime configurations.
• Automate air-gapped image distribution strategies and local OCI registry integration.
• Implement secure configuration and secret management mechanisms.
• Observability & Reliability Engineering
• Design telemetry pipelines (metrics, logs, traces) using OpenTelemetry or equivalent frameworks.
• Embed observability directly into software components.
• Define reliability standards, SLOs, and performance baselines.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement systemic reliability improvements.

Technical Leadership

• Own complex software subsystems end-to-end from design through production.
• Provide architectural leadership across IaaS, PaaS, Developer Experience, and Operations domains.
• Mentor engineers in software craftsmanship, distributed systems design, and cloud-native development.
• Establish engineering standards for code quality, maintainability, and long-term sustainability.
• Drive cross-team technical alignment and reduce architectural fragmentation.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related discipline.
• Extensive hands-on experience building production-grade software systems.
• Strong programming expertise (Go and/or Python strongly preferred).
• Deep understanding of software design principles, distributed systems, and scalable architectures.
• Experience with Kubernetes, containerization, and GitOps-based workflows.
• Proven ability to lead complex software initiatives and mentor engineers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience building Kubernetes operators/controllers.
• Background in edge computing or air-gapped environments.
• Familiarity with CNI technologies and network policy enforcement.
• Experience with OpenTelemetry-based observability stacks.
• Experience in avionics, embedded, or mission-critical software environments.

The wage range of $122,500 - $220,500 is just one component of Panasonic’s total package. Actual compensation varies depending on the individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, and location. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and incentives (please also ensure to include a full list of “other forms of compensation” applicable to any posting too, and this would include GEB, NQDC, commissions, profit-sharing, as just some illustrative examples)., At Panasonic Avionics Corporation we realize the most important aspects in leading our industry are the bright minds behind everything we do. We are proud to offer our employees a highly competitive, comprehensive and flexible benefits program.

• Paid time off: Exempt Salaried employees receive flexible paid time off. This means that there is no fixed number, range, or limit to the amount of Personal and Vacation Days that may be taken for exempt employees. Non-exempt hourly employees accrue 14 vacation days per year + 7 sick days + 3 personal days. Accrual rate increases with tenure. All employees receive 11 company paid holidays per year. We also close our offices at the corporate level in the U.S. between Christmas and New Year. For operational positions that are expected to work on holidays, we provide additional compensation for hours worked.
• Health Insurance: Medical insurance offerings from Aetna and Kaiser (CA &HI). Options for Employee Only, Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner, Employee + Children, or Family. Dental PPO and DMO options & Vision insurance through EyeMed or VSP.
• Voluntary Benefits - Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs - Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• 401K with 50% match on up to 8% contribution, full vested from day 1.
• Educational Assistance - Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses.
• Washington residents only are eligible for: Washington’s Family and Medical Leave program and Washington’s Paid Sick Leave program.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, send us your application!

Ever wonder who brings the entertainment to your flights? Panasonic Avionics Corporation is #1 in the industry for delivering inflight products such as movies, games, Wi-Fi, and now Bluetooth headphone connectivity!

How exciting would it be to be a part of the innovation that goes into creating technology that delights millions of people in an industry that’s here to stay! With our company’s history spanning over 40 years, you will have stability, career growth opportunities, and will work with the brightest minds in the industry.