Embedded Software Engineer (Drone Stack)

The role

You will architect and field advanced autonomy and vehicle intelligence systems. This involves bringing autonomy stacks to life on real vehicle platforms through hardware-software integration, testing, and field support.

What you will do

• Build and tailor modular autonomy capabilities for defense missions on embedded Linux and other compute platforms
• Interface with onboard sensors and capture data
• Integrate autonomy software with vehicle hardware including aircraft autopilots, datalinks, and sensor payloads
• Build service-oriented-architecture software and inter-process messaging frameworks for autonomous UAS
• Perform system-level bring-up, test, and validation using SIL and HIL evaluation
• Participate in live flight testing across Group 1–5 unmanned aerial vehicles
• Diagnose and resolve software and integration problems
• Engage with DoD warfighter domain experts
• Partner with third-party UAS vendors to bring software onto OEM aircraft hardware

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline
• 3+ years of hands-on robotics experience spanning hardware, software, and systems integration
• Proficiency in modern C++
• Development experience in Docker, containerized deployments, and Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or RHEL
• Comfort with git, GitLab, and Visual Studio Code
• Hands-on integration of robotics or autonomy products with Pixhawk-family autopilots (ArduPilot and/or PX4)
• Working knowledge of common communication buses and protocols: UART/RS232/RS422/RS485, SPI/QSPI, I2C, and Ethernet
• Exposure to real-time, edge, and safety-critical computing in SIL, HIL, test, and operational settings
• Strong communication skills
• U.S. citizenship
• Eligibility to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance

Nice to have

• Modern C++ standards (C++11/17/20)
• Bash and CMake
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Familiarity with Agile workflows and CI/CD pipelines
• Hands-on work with COTS compute hardware like NVIDIA Jetson or Raspberry Pi
• An active U.S. SECRET clearance

Benefits

• Base salary
• Equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage
• 401k retirement benefits with employer match
• Learning and wellness stipends
• Paid time off

Before you apply

• U.S. citizenship required
• Eligibility to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance required

About the company

Applied Intuition, Inc. is a Silicon Valley company creating digital infrastructure for physical intelligence. It services automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries.