Robotic Software Engineer
Design, integrate, and deploy autonomy software for UAVs, working with hardware platforms, sensors, autopilots, and test environments. Requires 3+ years robotics experience and C++ skills.
Robotic Software Engineer (Drone Stack)
Designs and integrates autonomy software with hardware for UAVs and drones, deploying in SIL/HIL/live tests. Requires 3+ years robotics experience, C++, Pixhawk autopilots, Linux/Docker, and US citizenship for defense work.
125k – 165kFort Walton Beach, FLSunnyvale, CASan Diego, CA+2 moreEmbedded EngineeringOnsite3+ YOE
About the role
Responsibilities
- Adapt and develop modular and agile autonomy capabilities across diverse defense problems
- Integrate and deploy autonomy solutions onto embedded Linux and other hardware platforms, including interfacing with sensors and collecting data
- Troubleshoot complex integration and software issues to ensure high reliability and performance
- Integrate autonomy software into hardware in collaboration with autonomy engineers that supports full integration with aircraft autopilots, datalinks, sensors, PNT/GPS/INS, ground control stations, etc.
- Support live flight test of autonomy software on group 1-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Collaborate with 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors on the integration of Applied autonomy software onto OEM UAS hardware
- Conduct system-level setup, testing, and validation, including software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop evaluations
- Collaborate with autonomy engineers to implement service-oriented-architecture software and inter-process messaging systems for autonomous UASs
- Collaborate with DoD warfighter domain experts and 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors to develop and integrate autonomy software onto OEM hardware
Requirements
- BS or MS in Robotics, Computer Science or related engineering field
- 3+ years of hands-on experience working with robotic systems (hardware, software, and integration)
- Experience with software programming languages: C++ preferred
- Experience integrating autonomy/robotics products with Pixhawk autopilots (ArduPilot and/or PX4)
- Experience integrating with communication busses & protocols: UART/RS232/RS422/RS485, SPI/QSPI, I2C, Ethernet
- Experience developing in Docker, containerized deployment environments, and using Linux-based operating systems (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu)
- Experience using git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab
- Familiarity with real-time, edge computing, and safety-critical systems operating in software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), test & operational environments
- Excellent communication skills and customer-oriented project delivery mindset
- Willingness to travel frequently for on-site integration and demonstrations (estimated 10–20%)
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
Nice to Have
- Experience in modern C++ (2011, 2017, or 2020 standards), Bash, and CMake
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Experience with Agile development practices and CI/CD pipelines
- Prior work with COTS hardware integration such as Nvidia Jetson and Raspberry Pi
- Active U.S. SECRET clearance preferred
Compensation
Base salary range: $125,000 to $165,000 USD annually.
Skills
C++PixhawkArdupilotPx4DockerLinuxUbuntuRhelGitGitLabVisual Studio CodeUartSpiI2CEthernet
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