Senior Software Engineer, Multimedia & Camera Systems

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.

About The Role

Firestorm is seeking a Senior Multimedia and Camera Systems Software Engineer to join our dynamic team, either remotely, or in our San Diego office. In this role, you will lead the integration, control, and optimization of advanced camera and gimbal systems, as well as the development of multimedia streaming, encoding, and storage capabilities. Your work will be central to how our autonomous systems gather, process, and transmit mission-critical visual data, enabling real-time awareness across aircraft, ground control stations, and distributed networks.

As a senior-level engineer, you will serve as a key technical contributor, working hands-on with software and hardware teams to design high-performance systems that meet demanding operational requirements. This is not a people manager role, but it does require leadership in execution, cross-functional collaboration and technical decision-making. You will work closely with engineers, product stakeholders, and system integrators to define capabilities and ensure seamless platform integration.

You will play a pivotal role in advancing the visual sensing and data processing functionality of Firestorm’s uncrewed aerial systems. We are looking for someone with strong engineering fundamentals, excellent communication skills, and a drive for precision and performance. You should be comfortable operating independently while also mentoring peers in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment. The ability to lead projects from concept to completion, and to clearly communicate complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences, will make you a standout contributor in this role.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement robust software solutions for camera and gimbal systems integration and control within the Firestorm ecosystem.
• Use GStreamer or similar frameworks to build advanced streaming, encoding, and decoding pipelines tailored for high-efficiency multimedia performance.
• Interpret Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to support the integration of diverse camera and gimbal platforms into our aircraft systems.
• Design low-latency, high-integrity data pathways from camera systems to storage, processing, and real-time applications.
• Create and document APIs to enable modular integration of camera and gimbal systems into broader vehicle and networked applications.
• Collaborate closely with hardware teams, systems engineers, and software teams to refine sensor specifications and ensure seamless integration.
• Work directly with stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations to align technical development with mission and platform requirements.
• Lead technical execution of key software components and contribute to the development of comprehensive testing strategies.
• Provide mentorship and technical support to peers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented engineering culture.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies in multimedia streaming, tactical video, and gimbal control to guide innovation and improvements.
• Contribute to code reviews and uphold rigorous standards for quality, performance, security, and maintainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with specialized coursework or research in image processing, video compression, or multimedia systems.
• 5+ years of professional experience in software engineering, with distinct focus & emphasis on multimedia processing, and camera system integration.
• Proficiency in modern C++ with extensive experience using GStreamer or similar frameworks for multimedia streaming, encoding, and decoding, and familiar with Linux development and administration.
• Hands-on experience with GStreamer (or similar) for media streaming, encoding, and decoding.
• Knowledge of video compression standards (i.e., H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1).
• Familiar with streaming protocols such as RTSP, RTMP, HLS, or MPEG-DASH.
• Strong understanding of network protocols (e.g., TCP, UDP, MQTT, WebSockets) for real-time multimedia delivery.
• Proven experience interfacing with camera sensors, gimbals, or IoT devices in embedded or aerial platforms.
• U.S. Citizenship is required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the defense, aerospace or technology sectors, with familiarity of the associated standards, and operational requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise with interpreting and implementing Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for complex hardware/software integration.
• Familiarity with MAVLink (especially Gimbal v2 and Camera microservices) and real-world use in drone or GCS systems.
• Proficiency in developing SDKs/APIs and integrating vision sensors or camera systems into robotics, autonomy, or surveillance platforms.
• Understanding of KLV metadata (e.g., MISB 0601) and video encryption or secure transmission practices.
• Experience designing multimedia systems for constrained networks (e.g., satellite, mobile, or low-bandwidth links) using adaptive bitrate streaming and resilience techniques.
• Hands-on experience with hardware acceleration and media frameworks (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, CUDA, TensorRT, DSPs).
• Knowledge of real-time and embedded systems in multimedia contexts.
• Familiarity with Android, Qt, or other UI and embedded platforms for camera/media control.
• Prior experience in aerospace or defense programs, including knowledge of MIL-STDs or STANAGs.
• Familiarity with ROS 2, including setting up environments, implementing code in nodes using roscpp API, and implementing simple inter-process communication.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing aerial operations and data privacy.

Work Environment

• This is a remote role, but we welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating.
• Occasional travel may be required (up to 15%)

Compensation

US Salary Range: $160,000 - $190,000 USD

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits

Benefits & Perks Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• FSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

ITAR Compliance To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Equal Opportunity Statement Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.

PI275619626