Software Engineer, Autonomy

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

About The Role

We're looking for a Software Engineer, Autonomy with software development experience in mobile robotics. As a robotics software engineer you will be responsible for building the core perception, planning, and control systems running onboard each member of the largest drone swarm in the world.

What You'll Do

• Developing multi-robot autonomy algorithms to safely perform a variety of missions across both small and large UxS.
• Defining the inter-robot and C2 communication protocols required to enable tactical swarm decision making on the edge.
• Building the core on-vehicle software platform to allow integration of a variety of first and third-party sensors, payloads, and software modules.
• Creating and validating physically realistic simulations of UxS.
• Training, tuning and testing automatic target recognition and track management systems using the latest advancements in neural networks.
• Performing electronics prototyping including troubleshooting complex mixed hardware-software systems.
• Writing clean, maintainable, and efficient code.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of time for onsite test and integration events.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field.
• 3+ years building soft-realtime embedded systems.
• Deep expertise in at least one systems language (C/C++, Rust, or Golang).
• Proven experience deploying and validating robotics algorithms (Dubins planning, SLAM, Kalman filters, particle filters, A*, behavior trees, reinforcement learning, etc.).
• Working knowledge of embedded systems (SPI/I2C/serial protocols, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, microcontroller programming).
• Strong networking fundamentals (NAT, mDNS, UDP/TCP, multicast, firewall configuration).
• Excellent software engineering practices with emphasis on testable, reliable code.

Preferred Qualifications

• Contributions to deployed robotics or IoT systems requiring complex edge processing (aerospace, autonomous vehicles, etc.).
• Experience with robotics middleware (DDS/ROS2, ZeroMQ, gRPC) and serialization formats (Protobuf).
• Familiarity with government UxS interoperability standards (OMS/UCI, STANAG 4586, FACE).
• Hands-on electronics skills (breadboarding, soldering, schematic interpretation, datasheet analysis).
• Deep learning experience.

Compensation Range

• $165,000 - $250,000+ Equity

What We Offer

• Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company
• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• PTO and paid sick time
• Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Daily catered lunch to office
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible work arrangement - remote/hybrid with regular collaboration in Oxnard
• Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security
• World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and trustworthy work environment, Swarm Aero conducts a thorough screening of prospective employees. Candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background verification process as a prerequisite for employment.

To conform to U.S. Government controlled 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 eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.