Software Engineer, Unmanned Aerial Systems

USAT; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

USAT is hiring a Software Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and test software for unmanned aerial systems and RF payloads in an on-site Tucson environment. You will work across flight-control, navigation, autonomy, antenna control, and embedded software for FPGA/ASIC hardware, collaborating with RF, FPGA, ASIC, electrical, and mechanical teams.

The role requires strong C/C++ and Python programming skills, experience with UAS stacks (PX4/ArduPilot), MAVLink, ROS 2, and embedded software

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field.
• 3+ years of professional software engineering experience in UAS, robotics, embedded systems, or related areas.
• Strong programming with C/C++ and Python; knowledge of other languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and test software for UAS platforms and RF/communications payloads.
• Work on flight-control, navigation, autonomy, antenna and modem control, and embedded software for FPGA/ASIC/microcontroller hardware.
• Collaborate with RF, FPGA, ASIC, electrical, mechanical, and systems teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Develop SIL/HIL simulations, CI/CD pipelines, and automated test frameworks for prototype and product software.
• Document software architecture, interfaces, test procedures, and release notes.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Git

ROS 2

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

MAVLink

RTOS (FreeRTOS/Zephyr)

Job description

Software Engineer, Unmanned Aerial Systems

Citizenship: U.S. citizens only

Location: Tucson, AZ [on-site]

Company: US Air Tech Corporation - USAT

Employment Type: Part-Time/Full-Time

Department: Software Engineering

About US Air Tech

US Air Tech Corporation – USAT is developing advanced UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems – drones), AI-driven robotic controls, navigation, and communication technologies through its STELLA® platform. The company’s technology roadmap includes compact electronic systems for UAS, satellite communication payloads, high-frequency antenna systems, ultra-sensitive receivers, and integrated communication architectures for LEO satellite networks, IoT connectivity, defense communication, and space-air-ground applications.

Position Summary

USAT is seeking a Software Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and test software for our UAS platforms and RF/communications payloads. The work spans flight-control and navigation software, AI-driven autonomy and robotic control, antenna and modem control, and embedded software for FPGA, ASIC, and microcontroller-based hardware. The ideal candidate combines strong programming skills with hands‑on experience in UAS, navigation, or embedded communications systems, and works closely with RF, FPGA, ASIC, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate flight-control, navigation, and autonomy software using UAS open-source stacks (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS 2).
• Develop software for communication protocols, telemetry, command/control, data acquisition, hardware interfaces, system monitoring, and engineering test workflows.
• Support UAS-related software workflows such as satellite tracking support, pass prediction integration, link monitoring, modem control, Doppler compensation support, antenna pointing support, and communication status reporting.
• Develop embedded and application-level software for FPGA-connected, ASIC-connected, microprocessor-based, and microcontroller-based communication systems.
• Implement software interfaces for RF front ends, modems, SDR platforms, ADC/DAC systems, antenna control units, power systems, sensors, and test equipment over interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, and Ethernet.
• Build software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, automated test frameworks, and CI/CD pipelines for prototype and product software.
• Support lab and field flight testing: collect and analyze logs, troubleshoot integration issues, and feed results back into design.
• Develop clear technical documentation, software architecture diagrams, interface control documents, test procedures, user guides, and release notes.
• Support software version control, build management, code reviews, issue tracking, and release readiness for prototype and product software.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering for UAS, robotics, embedded systems, communication systems, or hardware-control software.
• Strong programming experience in C or C++ and Python; experience with Rust, Go, Java, or MATLAB is a plus.
• Hands‑on experience with at least one of the following: a UAS autopilot stack (PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink), ROS/ROS 2, embedded firmware development, or SDR/RF hardware‑control software.
• Proficiency with Git, code review, and issue tracking; strong software architecture, documentation, and cross‑functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Embedded Linux and RTOS experience (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr) and real‑time constraints.
• Experience with SIL/HIL simulation, test automation, and CI/CD.

Work Environment, Security, and Compliance

• On‑site work in Tucson, AZ, including lab work and field testing.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Startup Environment and Expectations

USAT operates as a fast‑moving startup focused on advanced UAS, RF, and antenna system development. Candidates should be prepared for an intense, hands‑on engineering environment where priorities can move quickly, technical challenges are demanding, and individual ownership matters. Engineers are expected to be willing to contribute across design, testing, prototyping, troubleshooting, and documentation as needed.

What Success Looks Like

This role is expected to quickly become a key contributor to US Air Tech’s software capability, helping convert UAS and RF system requirements into reliable, testable, and field‑ready software. In the first 1-2 months, candidate will learn the STELLA® software architecture, toolchain, and target hardware; land their first reviewed contribution and add automated tests. Subsequently, they will own a defined component, such as a hardware driver, protocol implementation, or antenna‑control module, with a documented interface and tests.

Compensation and Benefits

Final compensation will be based on experience, education, and demonstrated software engineering, communication systems, UAS, embedded software, and hardware‑integration expertise.

Equal Opportunity Statement

USAT is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse software engineering, computer science, computer engineering, and communication systems backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive engineering team focused on next‑generation UAS, RF systems, and field‑deployable communication technologies.