Drone Autonomy Engineer - C++ & Hardware Integration

Applied Intuition; Washington; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Intuition, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Software Engineer for the Drone Stack team to design and integrate autonomy and vehicle intelligence systems across hardware and software, deploying algorithms in SIL, HIL and live test environments.

You will work with embedded Linux on vehicle platforms, sensors, and data collection, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver robust autonomy solutions for defense and commercial customers.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Robotics, Computer Science or related engineering field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience working with robotic systems (hardware, software, and integration).
• Experience with software programming languages: C++ preferred.
• Experience integrating autonomy/robotics products with Pixhawk autopilots (ArduPilot and/or PX4).
• Experience integrating with communication busses & protocols: UART/RS232/RS422/RS485, SPI/QSPI, I2C, Ethernet.
• Experience developing in Docker, containerized deployment environments, and using Linux-based operating systems (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu).
• Experience using git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab.
• Familiarity with real-time, edge computing, and safety-critical systems operating in SIL/HIL/test environments.
• Excellent communication skills and customer-oriented project delivery mindset.
• Willingness to travel frequently for on-site integration and demonstrations (estimated 10–20%).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Adapt and develop modular autonomy capabilities across defense problems.
• Integrate autonomy solutions onto embedded Linux and hardware platforms, interfacing with sensors and data collection.
• Troubleshoot complex integration and software issues for high reliability and performance.
• Integrate autonomy software with aircraft autopilots, datalinks, sensors, GPS/INS, and ground control stations.
• Support live flight tests of autonomy software on UAVs (group 1-5).
• Collaborate with third-party UAS vendors to integrate autonomy software onto OEM hardware.
• Conduct system-level setup, testing, and validation (SIL/HIL).
• Collaborate to implement service-oriented-architecture software and inter-process messaging for autonomous UASs.

Skills

C++

Robotics systems integration

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

BS or MS in Robotics, Computer Science or related engineering field

Tools

Docker

Linux

Git

GitLab

Visual Studio Code

Pixhawk autopilots

UART/RS485

Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Software Engineer for the Drone Stack team to design and integrate autonomy and vehicle intelligence systems across hardware and software, deploying algorithms in SIL, HIL and live test environments.

You will work with embedded Linux on vehicle platforms, sensors, and data collection, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver robust autonomy solutions for defense and commercial customers.