Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration
Develop and integrate autonomy software for expeditionary unmanned aircraft (V-BAT, X-BAT) including mission behaviors, VTOL control, multi-agent coordination, and sensor integration. Own features from simulation through live flight tests, provide technical leadership, and support field deployments and customer missions.
About the job
What You'll Do
- Develop and integrate autonomy software for V-BAT and X-BAT, including mission behaviors, platform-specific control (including VTOL transitions), payload and sensor integration (e.g., ViDAR, EO/IR), multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy. Own major features from software-in-the-loop through live flight testing.
- Collaborate closely with the Aircraft team to integrate autonomy capabilities, validate platform interfaces, coordinate hardware/software compatibility, and support release readiness.
- Partner with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, GCS, Strategic Systems (ACP), feature crews, and customer stakeholders to deliver integrated mission capabilities.
- Provide technical leadership: own significant features or subsystems, drive technical execution, mentor teammates, and contribute to design reviews and integration planning.
- Build, configure, validate, and prepare mission-ready systems while ensuring software, hardware, and operator workflows are ready for deployment.
- Support flight tests, customer demonstrations, operator training, and deployment events through system bring-up, troubleshooting, and mission execution.
- Diagnose integration issues across autonomy software, payload computers, embedded systems, and platform interfaces using simulation and operational testing.
- Analyze mission data, drive root-cause analysis, and build tools and processes that improve integration efficiency and mission reliability.
- Implement and validate interfaces with GCS and command-and-control systems while supporting compliance with STANAG 4586, UCI, and OMS.
Required Qualifications
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent advanced degree experience).
- Strong C++ development experience in real-time or embedded systems.
- Experience with Linux-based development and embedded systems.
- Experience integrating complex software systems and troubleshooting across hardware/software boundaries.
- Experience supporting system integration, testing, or field events.
- Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with unmanned aircraft or autonomous systems.
- Experience with autonomy software, robotics, or vehicle control.
- Experience with payload or sensor integration.
- Python, Docker, CMake/Conan, or CI/CD experience.
- Experience with military test events or defense customers.
Skills
C++, Linux, Embedded Systems, Python, Docker, Cmake, Conan, CI/CD, Autonomy Software, Robotics, Sensor Integration
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