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# Senior Software Integration Engineer (Payloads & Integrations)

- **Company:** FIRESTORM
- **Location:** San Diego, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $140,000.0 - $155,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), C++ (Programming Language), Command-Line Interface, Communications Protocols, Computer Programming, Custom Software, Software Debugging, Linux, Hardware Interface Design, Python (Programming Language), Network Troubleshooting, Networking Basics, Routing, Software Engineering, Software Systems, Systems Integration, TCP/IP, TypeScript, Software Organization, Rust (Programming Language), Git, Containerization, Information Technology, Operational Systems, Front End Software Development, Multiaccess Edge Computing, Docker, Golang
- **Published:** October 27, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/senior-software-integration-engineer-payloads-integrations-san-diego-ca--464b6f8c-cd9d-4f4f-a16b-20122f2d1541

## About the Role

System Integration (SI), Wheel/Front-End Loader, Software Engineering, Manufacturing Systems, Problem Solving Skills, System Integration (SI), Wheel/Front-End Loader, Software Engineering, Application Programming Interface (API), Machine Tool, * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).

 * U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations.
 * 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
 * Strong programming ability in one or more modern languages (C++, Python, Rust, Go, Java, TypeScript, or similar).
 * Demonstrated history of holding yourself and your teammates to a high standard, even when it creates discomfort.
 * Strong software engineering fundamentals with experience across multiple layers of the stack
 * Strong Linux experience including command-line workflows, debugging, and system administration tasks
 * Experience with networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, UDP, routing, and network troubleshooting
 * Experience integrating software with external systems through APIs, SDKs, or communication protocols
 * Ability to quickly understand and modify large existing codebases
 * Experience developing reliable production software in fast-moving environments
 * Experience with Git including branching and upstream contributions, * Background that includes both startup and scale-stage product engineering.
 * Experience with autonomous systems, UAVs, robotics, or defense technology
 * Experience with QGroundControl, MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, or similar platforms
 * Experience with TAK ecosystems or tactical mission applications
 * Experience integrating cameras, gimbals, radios, or other payload hardware
 * Experience with embedded systems or edge computing environments
 * Experience with Docker and containerized deployments
 * Experience contributing changes back into shared production software repositories
 * Experience supporting field deployments and troubleshooting operational systems

## Description

Firestorm is seeking a Senior Software Integration Engineer to join our Payloads & Integrations team. This role exists to accelerate the integration of new mission payloads and capabilities into Firestorm's autonomous systems.
You will operate at the intersection of software, hardware, and mission systems - developing the interfaces, tooling, and integrations required to rapidly deploy new payload capabilities. This includes integrating cameras, radios, sensors, and other mission equipment through SDKs, APIs, and custom software workflows. You will work closely with Firestorm's core software organization, which owns the mainline software stack. Your role will be to rapidly develop and validate payload integrations through an out-of-cycle (branched) development process, then collaborate with the broader software organization to upstream production-ready capabilities into future releases.
This is a hands-on IC engineering role for someone who enjoys moving quickly across software layers, debugging complex systems, and solving ambiguous integration problems.

What You'll Do

 * Build and maintain software interfaces between payload hardware, mission applications, and autonomy systems
 * Integrate SDKs and APIs for cameras, gimbals, radios, sensors, and other mission equipment
 * Develop tools and applications supporting payload configuration, monitoring, and control
 * Customize or extend mission applications such as QGroundControl, TAK-based applications, and related operator interfaces
 * Debug complex systems spanning Linux, networking, hardware interfaces, and distributed software components
 * Build Docker-based deployment workflows for fielded software capabilities
 * Work within a side-branch development process and collaborate with the core software team to make upstream production-ready changes
 * Participate in field testing, demonstrations, and integration activities