# Senior Wireless Software Engineer, National Security

**Company:** [Skydio](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/skydio)
**Location:** San Mateo, CA, Boston, MA
**Role:** Embedded Engineering
**Salary:** $170k – $240k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Embedded Linux, Rf Data Links, Wireless Networking, TCP/IP, Udp, Snmp, Wireshark, Vlans, Traffic Shaping, Qos, Fec/Arq, Routing/Bridging, Multicast
**Posted:** 2026-05-27

> Design, implement, and optimize radio-link software and system-level algorithms for mission-critical drone communications using industrial/defense-grade RF data links. Requires strong C/C++ and embedded Linux experience plus RF/wireless fundamentals.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own radio-link performance end-to-end: improve range, throughput, latency, robustness, and reliability for command/control and video transport over RF data links
- Integrate and control radios at the system layer: implement software interfaces to configure and manage radios (e.g., via CLI/AT-style commands, SNMP, REST, or vendor SDKs), including link profiles, channel plans, bandwidth, power, and QoS settings
- Build adaptive link behaviors: develop algorithms and policy logic for rate control, channel selection, retransmission/FEC strategy integration, prioritization, and application-aware QoS under interference and mobility
- Enable multi-node topologies: support relay/mesh-like operations, multi-aircraft coordination, and GCS interoperability (bridging, routing, traffic shaping)
- Drive conducted + OTA testing: define KPIs, build test plans, and enhance automated regression for radio performance in congested/contested environments
- Develop tooling for observability: create telemetry pipelines, dashboards, and analysis scripts to interpret radio stats (RSSI/SNR, MCS/rate, PER/FER, retries, latency/jitter, link uptime)
- Debug close to hardware: diagnose issues across RF/antenna integration, embedded Linux networking, drivers, and application behavior using packet captures, protocol traces, and lab equipment
- Collaborate across disciplines: partner with RF, hardware, systems, autonomy, mobile, and flight test teams
- Support mission-focused delivery: incorporate operational feedback from defense users and rapidly iterate on robustness and usability

## Requirements
- Strong experience with RF data links and/or industrial radio modems (e.g., Microhard pMDDL-class, MANET radios, COFDM/microwave links)
- Solid understanding of wireless link fundamentals and performance drivers (link budgets, fading, interference, antenna considerations, mobility effects, multipath)
- Experience configuring/tuning radios: channelization, bandwidth, TX power, modulation/coding (MCS), FEC/ARQ, and QoS/traffic prioritization
- Strong embedded/software background in C/C++ (and comfort with Python for automation and analysis)
- Experience with embedded Linux networking: routing/bridging, VLANs, multicast/unicast behavior, traffic shaping (tc/qdisc), UDP/TCP tradeoffs, and video transport considerations
- Familiarity with radio management interfaces (CLI, serial, SNMP, web UI/REST, vendor APIs) and building robust configuration/monitoring layers
- Hands-on debugging with lab + field tools: spectrum analyzer (or RF scanning tools), packet capture (tcpdump/Wireshark), iperf, latency/jitter measurement, and log/telemetry correlation
- Strong software engineering fundamentals: clean architecture, maintainable code, performance-minded design, and disciplined testing
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including RF, hardware, and systems
- Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 20%

## Nice-to-Haves
- Experience integrating radios into airborne platforms with constraints around SWaP, thermal, EMI/EMC, and antenna placement
- Experience with contested-spectrum tactics: interference detection/avoidance, channel planning, and operational profiles
- Experience building automated test infrastructure (hardware-in-the-loop, chamber/anechoic/OTA setups, regression suites, result dashboards)
- Familiarity with MIL/DoD interoperability considerations (COMSEC/TRANSEC integration patterns, key loading workflows, or policy-driven configuration)
- Experience developing or supporting Ground Control Station software and user-facing tooling for link status/health visualization

## Compensation & Benefits
- Annual base salary range: $170,000-$240,000
- Equity in the form of stock options
- Comprehensive benefits packages including group health insurance, paid vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay, and 401K savings plan
- Relocation assistance may be provided

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