Software Engineer

Destinus; Hengelo; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking an experienced software engineer to design and build high-performance C++ software for real-time, mission-critical UAV applications. You will work at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems, delivering robust solutions that operate under tight resource constraints.

You'll collaborate with avionics, radar, and embedded teams, focusing on real-time data processing, sensor fusion, and scalable architectures across embedded platforms and data pipelines.

Qualifications

• C++ production-level software for real-time systems.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in CS, Engineering, or related field.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-performance C++ software for mission-critical applications.
• Collaborate with hardware, avionics, and systems teams for seamless integration.
• Build and optimize components for real-time, resource-constrained environments.
• Contribute to architecture and scalability from embedded platforms to data pipelines.
• Improve performance, reliability, and maintainability of the software stack.
• Solve complex engineering problems with minimal playbooks.

Skills

C++

Real-time systems

Embedded software

Hardware integration

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Engineering

Job description

About the role

Imagine writing code that doesn’t just sit in a repository but directly powers autonomous flight systems, real-time decision-making, and mission-critical operations. This is not about maintaining legacy systems or tweaking minor features. This is about building high-performance software that interacts with hardware, processes complex data in real time, and operates where failure is not an option. This role sits at the intersection of software, systems, and reality. From embedded platforms to data pipelines, from sensor fusion to networking, the work directly impacts how our systems perceive, decide, and act.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You´ll Do

• Design and develop high-performance C++ software for real-world, mission-critical applications
• Work closely with hardware, avionics, and systems teams to ensure seamless integration between software and physical systems
• Build and optimize software components that operate under real-time and resource-constrained environments
• Contribute to the architecture and scalability of complex systems, from embedded platforms to distributed data pipelines
• Improve performance, reliability, and maintainability across the software stack
• Solve complex engineering problems where there is no clear playbook

What You’ll Need

• Strong expertise in C++ with proven experience building robust, production-level systems
• Solid engineering mindset with hands-on experience solving real-world technical challenges
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
• Fluent English

And experience in at least one of the following areas

• Radar, embedded C/C++, close to the metal work
• Software Platform Development, working on low-level embedded software, focused on integration with hardware and communication protocols
• Drones- any kind of drones

Who You Are

You think like an engineer first and a coder second. Clean, efficient, and reliable code is your baseline, not your goal. You enjoy working close to the hardware, understanding how systems behave in the real world, not just in theory.Fast-moving environments feel natural. Ambiguity is not a blocker, it is part of the process. There is a strong sense of ownership, curiosity, and a drive to build things that actually matter.