Mission Engineer - Air Systems

Apium Swarming Technologies Inc; California; Remote; USD 110,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus potential

Job summary

Apium Swarm Robotics (ASR) is seeking engineers for Mission Engineering to deploy, operate, and support autonomous vehicle systems in real-world environments across aerial, surface, undersea, and ground platforms.

You will engage in field deployments, travel for test sites and customer locations, and provide operational feedback to engineering and sales teams. The role requires independence, decisive problem solving, and accountability.

Qualifications

• 5 years of hands-on experience deploying, operating, or maintaining unmanned systems.
• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Experience operating in austere field and/or maritime environments.
• Strong mechanical, electrical, or systems troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, operate, and maintain UAS, USV, UUV, and UGV platforms in the field.
• Support mission execution involving autonomous and semi-autonomous systems.
• Configure, operate, and troubleshoot autonomy and autopilot hardware/software in realtime conditions.
• Perform systems integration, pre-mission checks, and post-mission analysis.
• Maintain and repair vehicle systems, payloads, and supporting ground equipment.
• Travel to test sites, customer locations, and operational environments.
• Provide detailed operational feedback to engineering teams to improve system performance and reliability.
• Represent ASR professionally with customers, partners, and government stakeholders.

Skills

UAS/UAV/USV/UUV/UGV operation

Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Autonomy troubleshooting

Field deployment experience

Travel readiness

Tools

Mission planning software

Autonomy platforms

Job description

Location: Remote/Hybrid/United StatesApium Swarm Robotics (ASR) is revolutionizing swarm autonomy software for air, surface,undersea, and ground vehicles operating across dual-use commercial and defense environments.Our systems are deployed on real platforms, tested in the field, and delivered to customersoperating in complex, uncertain, and safety-critical conditions.We do not build research prototypes or slideware. Our software is integrated into real vehicles,tested in the field, and delivered to customers who depend on operational reliability, speed ofexecution, and mission relevance. We prioritize performance over hype.ASR systems represent the next phase in autonomy: collaborative swarming. These are not likepre-programmed drones for light shows. We are creating real-time cooperative management thatlets one operator control dozens to hundreds of vehicles in real-time with the ease of controllinga single vehicle. As such, this role requires comfort with responsibility, ambiguity, andoperational accountability.About the Job• Mission Engineering is responsible for deploying, operating, maintaining, and supportingautonomous vehicle systems in real-world environments. This role sits at the intersectionof business development, engineering, and field deployment, and is critical to ensuringASR systems perform reliably outside the lab.• You will primarily operate and support unmanned ASR-equipped unmanned aerialvehicles. As time and company opportunities permit, you will also support surface,undersea, and ground vehicles in both commercial and defense contexts, often inunfamiliar, austere, or high-tempo environments. You will work with a significant levelof autonomy, make decisions, and provide direct feedback to engineering and sales teamsbased on real operational experience and customer engagement.Key Responsibilities• Deploy, operate, and maintain UAS, USV, UUV, and UGV platforms in the field• Support mission execution involving autonomous and semi-autonomous systems• Configure, operate, and troubleshoot autonomy and autopilot hardware/software in realtimeoperational conditions• Perform systems integration, pre-mission checks, and post-mission analysis• Maintain and repair vehicle systems, payloads, and supporting ground equipment• Operate systems in environments with limited infrastructure, communications, or support• Provide detailed operational feedback to engineering teams to improve systemperformance and reliability• Support business development engagements, demonstrations, customer evaluations,training events, and deployments• Travel to test sites, customer locations, and operational environments• Represent ASR professionally with customers, partners, and government stakeholdersRequired Qualifications• 5 years of hands-on experience deploying, operating, or maintaining unmanned systems(UAS, USV, UUV, UGV)• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate• Experience operating systems in austere field and/or maritime operational environments• Strong mechanical, electrical, or systems troubleshooting skills• Comfort working independently with limited oversight• Ability to remain calm and effective under operational pressure• Willingness and ability to travel frequently, sometimes on short noticePreferred Qualifications• Military experience operating, maintaining, or deploying unmanned systems in land, air,or maritime domains• Experience with autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle operations• Experience supporting defense, maritime, aerospace, or safety-critical commercialoperations• Familiarity with command-and-control systems, mission planning software, or autonomyplatforms• Experience working in classified, export-controlled, or government-adjacentenvironments• U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain oneOperational Requirements• Ability to travel, including international travel• Ability to work irregular hours in support of field operations and deployments• Ability to lift, transport, and operate heavy field equipment as requiredThis Role May Be A Good Fit If• You enjoy operating real systems in the real world• You are comfortable making decisions with incomplete information• You take ownership of problems and drive them to resolution• You communicate clearly under pressure• You prefer autonomy and responsibility over rigid processThis Role Is Not for You If• You prefer desk-only or lab-only work• You are uncomfortable traveling or operating in unfamiliar field conditions• You require highly structured environments and constant oversight• You are unwilling to be accountable for operational outcomesCompensation: Salary Range 110K - 137K plus equity and potential bonuses.