Engineer · Architect · Builder

Senior software engineer,
exploring creative solutions
for live & dependable challenges —
from embedded real-time
to cloud & AI architectures

20+ years across aerospace, industrial automation, geospatial, and cloud systems. Currently building the architecture for SkyGrid and completing an MSc in AI at the University of Leeds. Based in Zug, Switzerland — open to remote roles worldwide.

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AG
20+
Years exp.
10+
Industries
DAL-A
Safety cert.
MSc
AI, Leeds

About

Building things that genuinely work

I'm a Senior Software Engineer and Systems Architect with over two decades of experience delivering complex, mission-critical software. What drives me isn't any single industry — it's the challenge of understanding a complex system, simplifying it, and making it reliable.

My background spans the full engineering lifecycle: from low-level embedded firmware running on aerospace computers to large-scale cloud system architectures, from safety-critical RTOS kernels to platform design documents that define a programme's foundation through PDR and beyond.

I've worked on helicopter avionics (NH90), autonomous eVTOL flight software (Boeing/Wisk), revolutionary 3D scanning hardware (Leica BLK360), train traction controllers, ARINC 653 RTOS platforms, and I'm currently defining the system architecture for SkyGrid — a cloud-connected aviation services platform.

I'm completing an MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Leeds (2025–2027), combining a deep engineering foundation with modern ML capabilities. Open to fully remote roles worldwide.

Location
Zug, Switzerland
Availability
Open to remote roles worldwide
Contact
a2mgoncalves@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/a2mgoncalves
Languages
Portuguese · English · German · French · Spanish
Education
MSc Artificial Intelligence
University of Leeds, 2025–2027

BSc Computer Science Engineering
ISEP Porto, 1996–1999

Expertise

Skills & technologies

Programming C, C++14, Python, ADA, Assembly (ARM/PowerPC), Java, Bash, SQL, Ruby, Protobuffers, gRPC
Architecture System/SW architecture, SSDD, SWDD, SysML, Cameo, CoDR/SRR/PDR lifecycle, Rational DOORS, Rhapsody/UML 2.0
Embedded & RT ARINC 653, VxWorks 653/6.9/SMP, embedded Linux, Yocto, PetaLinux, freeRTOS, Linux drivers
Processors ARM (Cortex-A/M), PowerPC / QorIQ E300/E500, X86, Xilinx FPGA interfacing
Cloud & DevOps Cloud architecture, distributed systems, API design, Git, GitLab CI, meson/ninja, Docker, Linux
AI / ML Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Data Mining — MSc in progress (Leeds, 2025–2027)
Protocols CAN, AFDX, Ethernet, ARINC 429/708, MILBUS/MIL-1553, SPI, I2C, RS232, TCP/IP, UDP
Standards DO-178B/C (DAL-A), ARINC 653, MIL-STD-498, V-Model, SCRUM, OOAD
Modelling Matlab/Simulink, Real-Time Workshop, dSpace, Eclipse, WindRiver Workbench OCD, LabVIEW

Career

Professional experience

SkyGrid · Boeing
2023 – Present
Remote
SW & Systems Architect
Co-created the foundational system architecture for SkyGrid — a cloud-connected advanced aviation services platform — from a clean sheet. Authored first versions of the SSDD and SWDD, establishing the architectural baseline. Led architecture definition through CoDR, SRR, and PDR milestones. Currently focused on cloud architecture: distributed services topology, API strategy, and scalable platform design.
Systems Architecture, SSDD/SWDD, SysML, Cameo, Cloud architecture, distributed systems, Python, C++
Aurora Flight Sciences · Boeing
2022 – 2023
Switzerland
Tools Lead — SW Engineering
Tools Lead for Aurora engineering teams: toolchain selection, SW development environment standardisation, and engineering workflow improvements across project teams.
Wisk · Aurora / Boeing
2021 – 2022
Switzerland
SW Architect — Concept Phase
SW Architect at the concept stage of the Wisk Gen6 autonomous air taxi program. Defined early architectural patterns for the flight software platform; shaped requirements and design trade-offs at programme inception.
SW Architecture, SysML, Cameo, C++, Protobuffers, gRPC
Aurora Flight Sciences · Boeing
2020 – 2021
Switzerland
Embedded SW Integrator & ARINC 653 Specialist
Integrated and modified the network stack on a new DAL C avionics computer. ARINC 653 domain specialist coordinating SW integration across platform components, ensuring partitioning compliance.
ARINC 653, VxWorks 653, C/C++, network stack, embedded Linux, DAL C
Aurora Flight Sciences · Boeing
Jan 2020 – mid 2020
Lucerne, Switzerland
Sr. Embedded SW Engineer — P3 Program
Led major Flight SW architecture changes — driver model and aircraft configuration structure enabling scalable, testable components across environments. Developed HW drivers for ARM/FPGA platforms (Xilinx/PetaLinux). Led Alliance Linux Port: migrating a 10-year C++ Windows simulation to Ubuntu.
Linux, PetaLinux, C99, C++, ARM, FPGA, Protobuffers, gRPC, meson, ninja, GitLab CI, Simulink, VxWorks 653
Leica Geosystems · Hexagon
Nov 2017 – Dec 2019
Switzerland
Senior Embedded SW Engineer
Developed new features and power-saving subsystems for the BLK360 revolutionary 3D laser scanner. Implemented Linux drivers and C/C++ on NXP ARM microcontrollers. Contributed to next-generation BLK platform.
Linux, Yocto, C++11/14, NXP M0, ARM, FPGA, Ruby, gRPC, Shell, GitLab CI, SCRUM
ABB Electronics
Jul – Oct 2017
Baden, Switzerland
Senior Embedded SW Engineer — Multi-Core RT
Multi-core real-time specialist fixing reliability issues in a VxWorks 6.9 SMP traction controller for the Swiss Train PEC project. Achieved a deterministic real-time system within agreed timelines.
VxWorks 6.9 SMP, QorIQ P2040E, C, Assembly (BSP), embedded C++, gSOAP
Northrop Grumman LITEF
Jan – Jun 2017
Germany
Senior SW Engineer — DO-178C DAL-A
Consultancy on DO-178C DAL-A certification for LCR300A inertial navigation system: reviewed requirements, design, and code traceability; guided teams to formal compliance.
ANSI C, DO-178C DAL-A, VectorCAST, DOORS, JIRA, PowerPC Assembly, ADA, Perl
Rockwell Collins
Aug 2014 – Dec 2016
Germany
SW Engineer — DO-178C
Device driver development (MILBUS/MIL-1553, CAN, Ethernet, SATA) for helicopter flight computers — VxWorks 653 and embedded Linux BSPs. Integration Team Lead for a 12-engineer BSP team.
QorIQ, VxWorks 653, MILBUS, DO-178B/C, ARINC 653, Windriver OCD ICE/BDI
DIEHL Aerospace
Jun 2008 – Jul 2014
Germany
SW Development Engineer
DO-178B DAL-A embedded SW for Airbus A350 XWB cRDC. Designed ARINC 653 RTOS kernel (ConOS 653) for a dual-lane IMA platform. Developed Simulink-based flap actuator controller; integrated at Airbus High-Lift Rig in Bremen.
C, C++, Assembly, MPC8349EA, CAN, AFDX, ARINC 429, DO-178B, ARINC 653, DOORS, Rhapsody, Matlab/Simulink, Java
Barco Avionics · Eurocopter · Earlier
1999 – 2008
Belgium · Germany · Portugal
Freelance / Consultant SW Developer
ADA/C++ for avionics RTOS (MOSArt, DO-178B DAL-A) at Barco. Mission Management SW for NH90 helicopter MTC at Eurocopter (ADA, MIL-STD-498, full SW lifecycle). Enterprise desktop SW at Markdata and Novabase (C++, COM, Oracle).
ADA, C++, PowerPC, VxWorks, MOSArt RTOS, ARINC 429/708, MILBUS, M68k, Solaris

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