Senior Software Engineer - Autonomy Interface

Overland AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Best-in-class healthcare, dental and vision plans

Unlimited PTO

401k with company match

Parental leave

Job summary

A defense technology company based in Seattle is looking for a Senior Software Engineer – Autonomy Interface. This role involves designing and implementing backend systems for a command-and-control platform for autonomous vehicles, focusing on robust services and real-time communications. The ideal candidate has significant experience in Python, FastAPI, and asynchronous programming, and will collaborate closely with autonomy and frontend engineers. Benefits include a competitive salary from $200K to $240K, equity compensation, and unlimited PTO.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in backend systems or 7+ years of professional experience.
• Hands-on experience with production backend systems using Python.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement backend services for command-and-control interfaces.
• Build and extend APIs using FastAPI for maintainability.
• Develop WebRTC-based services for data streaming.
• Create asynchronous systems for real-time data flows.
• Integrate services with messaging systems.
• Collaborate with frontend and autonomy engineers.
• Participate in field exercises for system observation.

Skills

Python backend development

FastAPI

asyncio

WebRTC

real-time communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering

MS degree or PhD preferred

Tools

FastAPI

WebRTC

TypeScript

Job description

Overview

About Overland AI: Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Overland AI is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages over a decade of advanced research in robotics and machine learning, as well as a field-test forward ethos, to deliver combined capabilities for unit commanders. Our OverDrive autonomy stack enables ground vehicles to navigate and operate off-road in any terrain without GPS or direct operator control. Our intuitive OverWatch C2 interface provides commanders with precise coordination capabilities essential for mission success. Overland AI has secured funding from prominent defense tech investors, including 8VC and Point 72, and built trusted partnerships with DARPA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command. Backed by eight-figure contracts across the Department of Defense, we are strengthening national security by iterating closely with end users engaged in tactical operations.

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer – Autonomy Interface to design and implement the backend systems supporting a mission-critical command-and-control (C2) platform for autonomous ground vehicles. This role focuses on building robust, asynchronous services which act as the interface between our ground autonomy software and C2 systems. The ideal candidate has deep experience with modern Python backend development, is comfortable with performance-sensitive and concurrent systems, and enjoys working at the intersection of web technologies, real-time communications, and physical AI.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain backend services that support a command-and- control (C2) interface for autonomous ground vehicles.
• Build and extend APIs using FastAPI, with a strong emphasis on correctness, performance, and maintainability.
• Develop and operate WebRTC-based services for real-time video and data streaming.
• Build asynchronous systems to coordinate real-time data flows and concurrent workloads.
• Integrate backend services with a variety of communication protocols and middleware, including event-driven and real-time messaging systems.
• Collaborate closely with frontend engineers and autonomy engineers to define clean interfaces and deliver end-to-end features.
• Participate in field exercises and testing to observe system behavior in real-world operational environments and iterate accordingly.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related discipline and 5+ years of relevant experience; OR 7+ years of relevant professional experience
• Experience building and operating production backend systems using Python.

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• MS degree or PhD preferred.
• Deep experience with FastAPI; experience with other Python-based backend frameworks is a plus
• Strong understanding of asyncio and asynchronous programming patterns in Python
• Hands-on experience building or operating WebRTC-based systems, including signaling and real-time media/data pipelines
• Experience with real-time or messaging systems; prior experience with MQTT is strongly preferred.
• Experience with or interest in PyTAK and/or ROS 2 is highly beneficial.
• Some experience with TypeScript or frontend-backend integration is a plus.

Benefits

Overland AI believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day.

• The salary range for this position is $200K to $240K annually
• Equity compensation
• Best-in-class healthcare, dental and vision plans.
• Unlimited PTO
• 401k with company match
• Parental leave