# Senior Robotic Hardware Engineer

**Company:** [Applied Intuition](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/applied-intuition)
**Location:** Fort Walton Beach, FL
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $85k – $145k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Px4, Ardupilot, Nvidia Jetson, Raspberry Pi, Can, Uart, I2C, Spi, Mavlink, Hardware-In-The-Loop, Software-In-The-Loop, Hil, Sil
**Posted:** 2026-07-11

> Senior Robotics Hardware Engineer leading hardware-software integration and bring-up for autonomous drone systems. Bridges firmware, compute, and sensors; builds HIL/SIL simulation environments; supports flight tests. Requires 5+ years in robotics/aerospace, C++/Python, and US Secret clearance eligibility.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead the hardware-software bring-up process, driving initial integration and validation of flight systems from the bench to the airfield.
- Deliver integrated, flight-ready systems by bridging the gap between autopilot firmware, onboard compute, and peripheral vehicle hardware.
- Define and control system interfaces across flight controllers, payloads, and ground stations to ensure seamless communication and data integrity.
- Make critical system-level tradeoffs between embedded software performance, autonomy requirements, and physical hardware constraints.
- Design and scale automated test frameworks, including high-fidelity Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) environments with realistic sensor and vehicle simulation.
- Architect repeatable verification workflows that enable rapid iteration and reduce the cycle time from code change to validated flight behavior.
- Build custom tooling for real-time monitoring and post-flight analysis to convert complex test data into actionable system improvements.
- Serve as the technical authority for integration and verification, acting as the primary link between hardware design, GNC, and software teams.
- Support flight test campaigns as a hands-on technical lead, troubleshooting integration issues and ensuring mission success.
- Set the standards for design patterns and hardware abstraction to ensure robust, scalable, and maintainable flight software.

## Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- At least 5 years of experience in robotics hardware integration, embedded systems, or aerospace engineering.
- Deep expertise in vehicle electronics integration, specifically bridging autopilot firmware (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot) with onboard compute (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi) and peripheral sensors.
- Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with experience writing hardware abstraction layers or drivers for real-time systems.
- Hands-on experience with communication protocols such as CAN, UART, I2C, SPI, and MAVLink.
- Proven track record of building and scaling simulation environments, specifically Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing for autonomous vehicles or drones.
- Demonstrated ability to lead system-level bring-up, moving complex robotics platforms from initial bench-top prototyping to successful field or flight operations.
- Excellent troubleshooting skills and a collaborative mindset, with the ability to act as the technical "glue" between GNC, software, and mechanical teams.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance.

## Nice-to-Haves
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Hands-on experience with R/C systems, drone assembly, or flight operations.

## Similar roles

- [Datacenter Hardware Operations Technician, AI Compute Infrastructure - Stargate](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/3abb05aa-8eec-47aa-80b4-6d5b1b69535b) - OpenAI - Remote - $86k – $228k/yr
- [Engineering Specialist/Sr. Technician, Electrical Engineering (R4691)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/df88ba4d-0ad1-4403-b5f5-68953bb9939f) - Shield AI - Boston, MA - $75k – $112k/yr
- [Power System - High Voltage Specialist/Sr. Technician (R4728)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2ddc155d-cba6-4a6d-b5c6-0fd314ed592e) - Shield AI - Dallas, TX - $75k – $112k/yr
- [Lead SMT Process Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/57a17af2-522e-4b5b-96fb-4ae4d70e20d1) - Northwood Space - Los Angeles, CA - $100k – $175k/yr
- [Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Machining)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/49b2fc4c-a16e-45d7-a5d6-43fcb4738c15) - Northwood Space - Los Angeles, CA - $100k – $175k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e00f9865-927e-44f5-ba25-88f13fa58ecf
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e00f9865-927e-44f5-ba25-88f13fa58ecf