Senior Drone Systems Engineer - Hardware & Flight Test

Decisive Point; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Intuition Defense is seeking a Hardware Engineer to bridge hardware, edge software, and field flight operations. Split roughly 50/50 between lab and airfield, you’ll bring autonomous aerial systems from benchtop config to live flight.

You’ll configure embedded Linux environments, deploy containerized stacks, wire mesh networks, and write middleware glue code to keep subsystems communicating. Fieldwork and soldering on bench skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in robotics integration, flight test engineering, embedded systems, or autonomous vehicles (aerial background preferred).
• Deep practical comfort with the Linux CLI, file management, system logging, local IP routing, subnets, and containerized deployments (Docker).
• Hands-on wiring, custom cable assembly, bench soldering, and physical diagnostics with oscilloscopes and multimeters.
• Strong proficiency in Python, C++, or Shell scripting for automation, test suites, and flight data logs.
• Direct experience with serial and vehicle bus protocols (UART, CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C).
• Ability to lead major integration efforts independently and bridge software, GNC, and hardware teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead System Bring-Up: Drive end-to-end hardware and software integration for unmanned aerial systems, moving platforms from benchtop prototyping to active flight test campaigns.
• Deploy & Configure Edge Software: Manage, configure, and deploy software stacks using Docker images, shell scripts, and Linux system tools across onboard computes and peripheral hardware.
• Field & Bench Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot vehicle networks, payload interfaces, and sensor links in real time using CLI tools and hardware diagnostics.
• Build Test Tooling & Glue Code: Develop Python and C++ scripts for data reduction, log analysis, system validation, and real-time subsystem verification.
• System Cabling & Electronics: Fabricate wiring harnesses, perform soldering, and define system-level architecture with block diagrams.
• Manage Communications & Networks: Configure IP routing, subnets, and local interfaces between flight controllers, companion computers, radios, and ground control stations.

Skills

Robotics integration

Flight test engineering

Embedded systems

Autonomous vehicles

Linux

Docker

Networking

Python

C++

Tools

Docker

Linux

Job description

Applied Intuition Defense is seeking a Hardware Engineer to bridge hardware, edge software, and field flight operations. Split roughly 50/50 between lab and airfield, you’ll bring autonomous aerial systems from benchtop config to live flight.

You’ll configure embedded Linux environments, deploy containerized stacks, wire mesh networks, and write middleware glue code to keep subsystems communicating. Fieldwork and soldering on bench skills are essential.