Drone Ground Control Software Engineer (C++/Qt, Android)

Harmattan AI; Paris; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A innovative defense technology company is seeking a Software Engineer for their Ground Control Systems team. This role involves developing high-performance Android-based drone controllers and integrating user needs into new feature developments. Candidates should hold a Master's degree and have 3+ years in software development, particularly with C++ and Qt, along with Android experience. The position is full-time in Paris, aiming for immediate availability.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Software Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in software development with C++ and Qt.
• Experience with Android development (Java or C++/NDK).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize our QGroundControl-based application.
• Adapt the app interface with physical controls for user experience.
• Implement new functionalities and UX/UI improvements.

Skills

C++

Qt

Android development

UX/UI design

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in Software Engineering

Job description

About Us

Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces.

Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.

About the Role

As Kernel Software Engineer, you own the low-level software platform that sits between our hardware and the flight application on our ground control stations. You work across the Linux kernel, board support and a custom Android build, so that every control, display and data link works reliably in the field. You are the bridge between our hardware and application teams, taking a new product line from board bring-up to mass production.

Responsibilities

• Bring up, configure and maintain the Linux kernel on our hardware, including device tree, drivers and security patches.

• Customize and maintain our Android build, covering system services, permissions, boot sequence and OTA updates.

• Integrate controls, display, touch, battery and radio modules, and expose them cleanly to the application layer.

• Ensure robust, low-latency SBUS and MAVLink data flows between the controller, the radio and the drone.

• Debug hardware and software issues alongside electronics and mechanical engineers, using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and UART/JTAG.

• Define flashing, provisioning, factory test and release procedures with the production team.

• Work with QGroundControl engineers and QA to validate system behavior on real hardware.

• Join field tests and flight sessions to validate your work in real conditions.

Candidate Requirements

• Master’s degree in Embedded Systems, Software Engineering, Electronics or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience in embedded software development.

• Strong command of the Linux kernel (configuration, device tree, drivers, debugging) and of C; C++ is a plus.

• Hands-on background customizing AOSP, from HALs and system services to the build system.

• Comfortable at the hardware boundary: UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, USB, display and touch controllers.

• Exposure to drones or robotics, including MAVLink or PX4/ArduPilot, is a plus.

• Hands-on, autonomous and pragmatic, with curiosity about hardware and the ability to learn quickly.

• Professional English for technical documentation and international collaboration.

We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.