Software Engineer I/II - ArduPilot & Autonomous Systems
On-site Fort Pierce, FL role developing autonomous control software for unmanned surface vessels: modifying ArduPilot/ArduRover C++ source, integrating MAVLink telemetry and onboard hardware, and building SITL/HITL simulation, regression testing, and ATAK/TAK command-and-control integrations, with Python, Linux, and dockside/on-water testing.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- BlueOps - Fort Pierce - Fort Pierce, FL 34946-7331
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Junior
- Employment
- Full time
- Experience
- Not specified
- Category
- Software engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Experience developing, debugging, and maintaining software in C++ and Python
- Hands-on experience modifying, building, debugging, and testing ArduPilot source code
- Experience with ArduRover for boats/USVs or equivalent ArduPilot vehicle platforms
- Hands-on experience configuring, running, and troubleshooting ArduPilot SITL and HITL/HIL testing environments
- Experience developing automated simulation tests, regression tests, and validation workflows for autonomous vehicle software
- Understanding of MAVLink telemetry, vehicle commands, parameters, mission execution, and communication protocols
- Understanding of actuators, navigation, operating modes, and safety/failsafe behavior
- Experience developing and troubleshooting software on Linux-based systems
- Experience using Git, GitLab, or equivalent source-control platforms
- Familiarity with Jira or similar issue-tracking systems
- Familiarity with generative AI coding tools such as Cursor or OpenAI Codex
- Experience integrating software with sensors, embedded hardware, or external control systems
- Willingness to participate in laboratory, dockside, and on-water testing
- Willingness to travel occasionally for field testing and integration activities
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Effective communication, teamwork, and technical documentation skills
- Ability to work hands-on with embedded hardware, sensors, and vehicle-control systems
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work on boats, docks, and in outdoor/marine environments
- U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence; must not require sponsorship for ITAR/EAR-restricted work
Nice to have
- ATAK/WinTAK plugin development and integration
- TAK ecosystem experience, including Cursor on Target (CoT)
- Autonomous boat/USV development and on-water testing experience
- Marine propulsion, throttle, gear shifting, steering, and actuator control
- CAN bus, serial communications, and marine engine integration
- GNSS, IMUs, compass/heading sensors, and navigation systems
- NVIDIA Jetson and other embedded computing platforms
- TCP/IP, UDP, and remote vehicle communication systems
- Docker, GitLab CI/CD, and automated deployment workflows
- Experience with robotics, autonomous vehicles, or defense systems
Full description
Position Overview
We are seeking a junior-to-mid-level Software Engineer with hands-on ArduPilot development experience to develop, integrate, and test autonomous vehicle control software for unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The ideal candidate has experience modifying ArduPilot source code, working with MAVLink communication protocols, and developing automated simulation and hardware testing environments. This role focuses on implementing vehicle-control functionality, improving autonomy software reliability, and integrating ArduPilot/ArduRover with onboard hardware and external command-and-control systems. Experience with ATAK/WinTAK and tactical command-and-control software is highly desirable.
Required Qualifications
- C++ and Python: Experience developing, debugging, and maintaining software in C++
and Python
- ArduPilot Development: Demonstrated hands-on experience modifying, building,
debugging, and testing ArduPilot source code
- ArduRover / USV: Experience with ArduRover for boats/USVs or equivalent ArduPilot
vehicle platforms
- SITL/HITL: Hands-on experience configuring, running, and troubleshooting ArduPilot
Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL/HIL) testing
environments
- Automated Testing: Experience developing automated simulation tests, regression tests,
and validation workflows for autonomous vehicle software
- MAVLink: Understanding of telemetry, vehicle commands, parameters, mission
execution, and communication protocols
- Vehicle Control: Understanding of actuators, navigation, operating modes, and
safety/failsafe behavior
- Linux: Experience developing and troubleshooting software on Linux-based systems
- Version Control: Experience using Git, GitLab, or equivalent source-control platforms
- Project Management: Familiarity with Jira or similar issue-tracking systems
- AI-Assisted Development: Familiarity with generative AI coding tools such as Cursor,
OpenAI Codex, or similar
- Hardware Integration: Experience integrating software with sensors, embedded
hardware, or external control systems