(Senior) System software engineer

Cdds Ag; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct impact on mission-critical tech

High ownership in a fast-paced startup

Hands-on, highly technical team

Real-world testing, deployments, andDo

Job summary

CDDS is building a real-time, safety-critical software platform for Europe’s counter-drone defense network. You will fuse radar, sensors, and operator inputs into a single operational picture and work hands-on near hardware and operators in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.

As a strong all-around software engineer, you will own the ground-segment platform, develop low-latency integration with drones and external sensors, and shape fleet-management tooling for provisioning and control of a

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field from a top-tier university.
• 3+ years of professional experience building production software with deep Python expertise.
• Fluency in Linux-based development environments.
• Solid grounding in software security fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Architect the ground-segment platform that fuses radar and multi-sensor data into a real-time operational picture with tight latency budgets.
• Build the integration layer connecting drones to third-party sensors and platforms for reliable field operation.
• Design and own fleet-management and provisioning tooling to command and coordinate a live interceptor fleet.
• Profile, tune, and harden system performance to withstand real-world load.
• Work close to the field with code deployed on real hardware, in front of real customers.

Skills

Python

Linux

Security fundamentals

Education

MSc or PhD in Computer Science / Software Engineering

Job description

You want to help build Europe's resilience. You want to protect people and critical infrastructure - ultimately saving the lives of thousands. You want to work at the frontier of high-performance autonomous systems.

At CDDS, you'll build the software platform that connects our next-generation interceptor drones with sensors and operators, the nervous system of a counter-drone defense network protecting critical infrastructure and, ultimately, saving lives.

We're looking for a strong all-around software engineer to:

• Build the platform that fuses radar, sensors, and third-party data into a single, real-time operational picture
• Integrate our drones with external systems at low latency, under conditions where reliability isn't optional
• Design fleet-management tooling to monitor, configure, and coordinate drones operating in the field

This is real-time, safety-critical software with actual physical stakes. You'll work close to hardware, close to operators, and close to the mission. We move fast and priorities shift as the threat landscape does.

Tasks

What you will own

• Architect the ground-segment platform that fuses radar and multi-sensor data into a real-time operational picture, under latency budgets where milliseconds decide outcomes
• Build the integration layer connecting our drones to third-party sensors and platforms, designing the plugins and data interfaces that make it work reliably in the field
• Design and own fleet-management and provisioning tooling that commands and coordinates a live interceptor fleet
• Profile, tune, and harden system performance so it holds up under real-world load
• Work close to the field: see your code deployed on real hardware, in front of real customers

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS

• MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field from a top-tier university, with an outstanding track record
• 3+ years of professional experience building production software, with deep, demonstrable Python expertise
• Fluency in Linux-based development environments
• Solid grounding in software security fundamentals

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience integrating with command and control (C2) systems
• Experience working with radar feeds or other external sensors
• Knowledge of networking protocols and secure communication
• Comfort living in a bash CLI

Benefits

WHY CDDS

• Direct impact on a mission‑critical technology shaping Europe’s security landscape
• Fast‑moving startup environment with high ownership
• Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands‑on team
• Real‑world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations
• Attractive compensation

DETAILS

• Location: Hardbrucke (Zurich), on‑site
• Start date: when you are ready
• Environment: Rapidly growing deep‑tech startup, high‑impact mission