Senior C++ Software Engineer - Drone Stack

As a Software Engineer on our Drone Stack team, you will design and integrate complex autonomy and vehicle intelligence systems spanning hardware and software domains. You will integrate hardware and software onto vehicle platforms and deploy autonomy algorithms in both SIL, HIL and live test environments. Computer networking, code integration, and a passion for robotics integration is a must. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions for defense and commercial customers, providing seamless hardware-software integration, troubleshooting, and customer-facing demonstrations.

If you’re a strong C++ engineer with no prior drone experience but a keen interest in the space, this role could be an ideal fit.

At Applied Intuition you will:

• Adapt and develop modular and agile autonomy capabilities across diverse defense problems
• Integrate and deploy autonomy solutions onto embedded Linux and other hardware platforms, including interfacing with sensors and collecting data
• Troubleshoot complex integration and software issues to ensure high reliability and performance
• Integrate autonomy software into hardware in collaboration with autonomy engineers that supports full integration with aircraft autopilots, datalinks, sensors, PNT/GPS/INS, ground control stations, etc.
• Support live flight test of autonomy software on group 1-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Collaborate with 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors on the integration of Applied autonomy software onto OEM UAS hardware
• Conduct system-level setup, testing, and validation, including software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop evaluations
• Collaborate with autonomy engineers to implement service-oriented-architecture software and inter-process messaging systems for autonomous UASsCollaborate with DoD warfighter domain experts and 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors to develop and integrate autonomy software onto OEM hardware

Software Engineering, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), C++ Programming Language, Agriculture, Construction, Artificial Intelligence (AI), United States Military, Operating Systems, Trucking, Mining Industry, * BS or MS in Robotics, Computer Science or related engineering field

• 5 -10 years of hands-on experience working with robotic systems (hardware, software, and integration)
• Experience with software programming languages: C++ preferred
• Experience integrating autonomy/robotics products with Pixhawk autopilots (ArduPilot and/or PX4)
• Experience integrating with communication busses & protocols: UART/RS232/RS422/RS485 , SPI/QSPI , I2C , Ethernet
• Experience developing in Docker, containerized deployment environments, and using Linux-based operating systems (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu)
• Experience using git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab
• Familiarity with real-time, edge computing, and safety-critical systems operating in software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), test & operational environments
• Excellent communication skills and customer-oriented project delivery mindset
• Willingness to travel frequently for on-site integration and demonstrations (estimated 10-20%)
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Nice to have:

• Experience in modern C++ (2011, 2017, or 2020 standards), Bash, and CMake
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Experience with Agile development practices and CI/CD pipelines
• Prior work with COTS hardware integration such as Nvidia Jetson and Raspberry Pi
• Active U.S. SECRET clearance preferred

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.