Founding Flight Software Engineer – Robotics & Defense (SF)

IMPACT Drones; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Impact Drones in San Francisco is hiring its founding engineer to own the software that decides, launches and guides an interceptor against hostile drones targeting critical infrastructure. You will ship flight software to real hardware and help shape the first engineering team.

The role blends C++ (or Rust) on embedded systems with Python, field testing, and full system integration of sensors, launch bays and operator interfaces.

Qualifications

• Shipped software on real hardware that flew or tested in flight.
• Strong C++ (or Rust) on embedded or real-time systems, plus Python.
• Depth in flight software, robotics or embedded systems.
• Field tests you ran and fixes that came out of them.

Responsibilities

• Own the software path from radar track to interceptor in air.
• Develop flight software for HUNTER and WEAVER.
• Integrate sensors, launch bays and operator screens.
• Conduct field testing and decide readiness to fly.
• Hire and lead the next engineers.

Skills

C++/Rust on embedded or real-time

Python

Flight software/robotics

Field tests / hardware fixes

Job description

Impact Drones in San Francisco is hiring its founding engineer to own the software that decides, launches and guides an interceptor against hostile drones targeting critical infrastructure. You will ship flight software to real hardware and help shape the first engineering team.

The role blends C++ (or Rust) on embedded systems with Python, field testing, and full system integration of sensors, launch bays and operator interfaces.