UAS Software Engineer
Role summary
This role focuses on the design, development, and deployment of software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) throughout their lifecycle. Responsibilities include working on mission planning, flight control, and autonomous capabilities, ensuring software is robust and scalable. The engineer will collaborate with hardware and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable UAS solutions for commercial and defense applications. Key technical skills include C++, Python, UAS systems integration, simulation, and Agile methodologies. Experience with protocols like Mavlink and containerization tools like Docker is also relevant.
About this Position:
This role involves designing, developing, and deploying software that powers unmanned aerial systems (UAS) across the full platform lifecycle. You will work on mission planning tools, flight control systems, and autonomous capabilities, ensuring software is robust, scalable, and field-ready. Collaborating closely with hardware, flight test, and manufacturing teams, you will deliver intelligent, reliable UAS solutions that meet demanding operational and customer requirements. This is an opportunity to contribute to autonomous systems that support both commercial and defense applications.
Job Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain core software libraries utilized across all UAS platforms
- Implement software features addressing customer requirements and operational use cases
- Optimize mission planning and operational software, including battery consumption and route planning
- Collaborate with hardware and manufacturing teams throughout the product development lifecycle
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in deployed systems, ensuring optimal field performance
- Contribute to the design of UAS software systems, including flight control, mission management, and payload integration
- Stay current with emerging technologies and recommend innovations to improve products and processes
Experience Required:
- 3+ years developing UAS, robotics, or mission-critical software in C++ and/or Python
- Hands-on experience with UAV or robotics systems integration, including sensors, navigation stacks, or flight control systems
- Experience with simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and flight testing
- Proficiency in Python, Golang, or C++
- Familiarity with Mavlink, BetaFlight, ArduPilot, or PX4
- Experience with Docker and Agile methodologies (SCRUM/Kanban)
- Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, concurrency, and code optimization
- Experience troubleshooting remotely deployed software systems and resolving field issues
- Excellent communication skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
- Demonstrated experience in UAS, aerospace, defense, automotive, or high-reliability software development
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics (desirable)
- Experience with containerized deployment (Docker/Kubernetes), multi-agent UAV coordination, 3D geospatial frameworks (Cesium, MapBox, TAK), offline-capable software, or fixed-wing flight mechanics (desirable)
