Robotic Software Engineer (Drone Stack)
Integrates autonomy and robotic software with UAV hardware, sensors, autopilots, and communication systems across SIL, HIL, and live flight-test environments. Requires a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree, 3+ years of robotics integration experience, C++, Linux, and U.S. citizenship with clearance eligibility.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Adapt and develop modular autonomy capabilities for diverse defense applications.
- Integrate and deploy autonomy solutions onto embedded Linux and other hardware platforms, including sensor interfacing and data collection.
- Troubleshoot complex integration and software issues to ensure reliability and performance.
- Integrate autonomy software with aircraft autopilots, datalinks, sensors, PNT/GPS/INS systems, and ground control stations.
- Support live flight testing of autonomy software on Group 1–5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
- Collaborate with third-party UAS vendors to integrate autonomy software onto OEM hardware.
- Conduct system-level setup, testing, and validation, including software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) evaluations.
- Implement service-oriented architecture software and inter-process messaging systems for autonomous UASs.
- Collaborate with defense domain experts and UAS vendors on autonomy software integration.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related engineering field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience with robotic systems, including hardware, software, and integration.
- C++ programming experience preferred.
- Experience integrating robotics or autonomy products with Pixhawk autopilots, including ArduPilot and/or PX4.
- Experience with communication buses and protocols such as UART/RS232/RS422/RS485, SPI/QSPI, I2C, and Ethernet.
- Experience with Docker, containerized deployment environments, and Linux-based operating systems such as RHEL or Ubuntu.
- Experience using Git, Visual Studio Code, and GitLab.
- Familiarity with real-time, edge-computing, and safety-critical systems in SIL, HIL, testing, and operational environments.
- Excellent communication skills and a customer-oriented project delivery mindset.
- Willingness to travel frequently for on-site integration and demonstrations, estimated at 10–20%.
- Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
Nice-to-haves
- Modern C++ standards, including C++11, C++17, or C++20.
- Bash and CMake.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Agile development practices and CI/CD pipelines.
- COTS hardware integration, including Nvidia Jetson and Raspberry Pi.
- Active U.S. Secret clearance.
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range: $125,000–$165,000.
- Compensation may also include equity, health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k) benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off.
Skills
C++, Pixhawk, Ardupilot, Px4, Docker, Linux, Git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab, Uart, Spi, I2C, Ethernet, Cmake, Bash
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