Forward Deployed Engineer
A hands-on, customer-facing engineer who develops, integrates, and field-deploys Auterion-powered drone systems. Day to day this means writing edge software in C/C++ and Python on Linux (Jetson/Skynode), building Dockerized services and cloud integrations, working with PX4/MAVLink flight systems, and supporting flight testing and customer deployments.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- San Francisco, California
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Lead
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Category
- Solutions engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software, Electrical, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation, or related field
- 5+ years of software engineering experience with strong C/C++ and Python skills on Linux
- Experience with embedded, edge, companion-computer, or IoT platforms
- Experience with PX4 or similar autopilot systems
- Understanding of networking and embedded protocols such as CAN, I2C, SPI, TCP/IP
- Experience with Docker, cloud APIs, distributed systems, and CI/CD
- Familiarity with UAV flight testing, avionics, flight control, and hardware/software integration
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing skills
- Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
- Passion for drones and autonomous systems
- Willingness to travel
- U.S. citizenship required
Nice to have
- MAVLink experience
- Eligibility for Secret clearance
Full description
As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion, you will develop, integrate, and deploy Auterion-powered drone systems, working across embedded software, cloud infrastructure, avionics, and flight operations.
You’ll act as a technical interface for customers and partners, translating mission requirements into practical solutions using AuterionOS, Skynode, and PX4. This is a hands-on role involving software development, system integration, troubleshooting, and field testing.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Develop and maintain edge software in C/C++ and Python on Linux-based platforms such as Jetson and Skynode.
- Build containerized services using Docker and integrate edge systems with cloud infrastructure.
- Implement reliable communication and data pipelines using REST, gRPC, MQTT, WebSockets, and MAVLink.
- Manage firmware flashing, vehicle configuration, sensor calibration, system bring-up, and software releases.
- Integrate and troubleshoot avionics, sensors, payloads, communications, and other vehicle systems.
- Participate in flight testing, customer demonstrations, system validation, and field deployments.
- Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, networking, and Linux integration issues.
- Collaborate with hardware, firmware, cloud, production, operations, and QC teams.
- Act as a technical lead in customer engagements and translate mission requirements into system solutions.
- Contribute to CI/CD, testing, documentation, cybersecurity, and continuous engineering improvements.
- Feed customer and field requirements back into product and engineering teams.
- Travel as needed for integration, testing, and customer deployments.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software, Electrical, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation, or a related field.
- 5+ years of software engineering experience, with strong C/C++ and Python skills on Linux.
- Experience with embedded, edge, companion-computer, or IoT platforms.
- Experience with PX4 or similar autopilot systems; MAVLink experience is a plus.
- Understanding of networking and embedded protocols such as CAN, I2C, SPI, TCP/IP.
- Experience with Docker, cloud APIs, distributed systems, and CI/CD.
- Familiarity with UAV flight testing, avionics, flight control, and hardware/software integration.
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing skills.