Software Engineer

Fortem Technologies, Inc.; Lindon (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortem Technologies, Inc. is seeking an experienced Software Engineer to design, maintain, and improve DroneHunter’s autonomous capabilities, focusing on safe target search and capture within embedded real-time systems.

You will collaborate across hardware and software teams to implement flight control, state estimation, sensor fusion, and ground control integration, delivering a reliable, safety-critical drone platform.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS/SE/EE/Robotics or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years in software engineering, ideally robotics/aerospace/embedded/autonomous vehicles.
• Strong C++ and/or Python; real-time or embedded systems experience a plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, hardware-influenced environment and debug complex systems.
• Experience using AI coding tools to accelerate development and reviews.
• Excellent collaboration and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test flight control and autonomy software including state estimation and sensor fusion.
• Develop navigation and path-planning algorithms with obstacle avoidance and GPS positioning.
• Build and maintain firmware for flight controllers and embedded hardware under real-time constraints.
• Implement telemetry, command-and-control, and failsafe communication protocols.
• Contribute to ground control station software for planning, monitoring, and analysis.
• Create and run HIL/SIL simulations to validate software before field tests.
• Collaborate with hardware, mechanical, and regulatory teams for system reliability.
• Participate in field testing and iterate based on results.
• Write clean, documented, and testable code; participate in code reviews.
• Assist with other software engineering tasks as directed by leadership.

Skills

C++/Python proficiency

Debugging multi-layered systems

AI coding tools (Claude Code, Copilot)

Collaboration & communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/SE/EE/Robotics

Tools

ROS/ROS2

PX4

ArduPilot

MAVLink/UART/CAN

Job description

Fortem is looking for an experienced Software Engineer with a passion for solving difficult problems. In this role you will primarily be responsible for designing, maintaining, and improving DroneHunter’s ability to autonomously seek and capture targets safely. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise in embedded systems with architectural thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and a passion for building reliable, safety-critical drone platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test flight control and autonomy software, including state estimation, sensor fusion, and control loops.
• Develop navigation and path-planning algorithms, including obstacle avoidance and GPS/GNSS-based positioning.
• Build and maintain firmware for flight controllers and embedded hardware, working within real-time constraints.
• Implement communication protocols for telemetry, command-and-control, and failsafe/lost-link scenarios.
• Contribute to ground control station software for mission planning, monitoring, and post-flight analysis.
• Build and run hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulations to validate software before field testing.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, mechanical, and regulatory/compliance teams to ensure system-level reliability.
• Participate in field testing and flight trials, iterating quickly based on real-world results.
• Write clean, well-documented, and testable code, and participate in code reviews.
• Other software engineering tasks and projects as assigned by engineering leadership.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 4+ years of experience in software engineering, ideally in robotics, aerospace, embedded systems, or autonomous vehicles.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python; experience with real-time or embedded systems is a plus.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative environment with frequent hardware testing.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug complex, multi-layered systems (hardware + software).
• Demonstrable experience using AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) to accelerate development, debugging, and code review workflows.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills across cross‑functional.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with robotics middleware such as ROS/ROS2, PX4, or ArduPilot.
• Understanding of communication protocols (MAVLink, UART, CAN, etc.)

About Us

Fortem Technologies is the global leader in airspace security, delivering advanced solutions that protect against today’s autonomous aerial threats while ensuring the safety of tomorrow’s advanced air mobility. Fortem’s AI‑powered SkyDome® Family of Systems combines TrueView™ sensors, command-and‑control software, and autonomous DroneHunter® interceptors to defend military, government, and commercial operations worldwide from hostile or unauthorized drones. Fortem is the only company authorized to deploy a drone‑on‑drone kinetic interceptor in U.S. airspace, and its technology has been validated in operational deployments across Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Headquartered in Lindon, Utah, Fortem is privately held and backed by Lockheed Martin, DCVC, Toshiba, AE Industrial Partners, AIM13, Signia Venture Partners, and others.

Fortem Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We believe that diversity drives innovation and makes us stronger.