Senior Software Integration Engineer (Payloads & Integrations)

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Firestorm is seeking a Senior Software Integration Engineer to join its Payloads & Integrations team and accelerate the integration of new mission payloads and capabilities into its autonomous systems. The role works across software, hardware, and mission systems, developing interfaces, tools, and integrations for rapidly deploying payload capabilities, including cameras, radios, sensors, and other mission equipment through SDKs, APIs, and custom software workflows. The engineer will work closely with Firestorm’s core software organization, which owns the mainline software stack. The role develops and validates payload integrations through an out-of-cycle, branched development process, then collaborates with the broader software organization to upstream production-ready capabilities into future releases. This is a hands-on individual-contributor engineering role involving rapid work across software layers, complex-system debugging, and ambiguous integration problems. The position is based at Firestorm’s headquarters in San Diego, California. Local candidates and candidates open to relocating are welcome; relocation assistance may be included in the offer package where appropriate. The role includes approximately 10% occasional domestic travel for field testing, payload integration, demonstrations, and operational support. U.S. citizenship is required due to ITAR regulations, subject to the stated export-control eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
U.S. citizenship is required due to ITAR regulations; the posting also states that candidates must be eligible to obtain required U.S. export authorizations.
At least 5 years of professional software engineering experience.
Strong programming ability in one or more modern languages, such as C++, Python, Rust, Go, Java, or TypeScript.
Demonstrated history of holding yourself and teammates to a high standard, even when it creates discomfort.
Strong software engineering fundamentals and experience across multiple layers of the stack.
Strong Linux experience, including command-line workflows, debugging, and system administration tasks.
Experience with networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, UDP, routing, and network troubleshooting.
Experience integrating software with external systems through APIs, SDKs, or communication protocols.
Ability to quickly understand and modify large existing codebases.
Experience developing reliable production software in fast-moving environments.
Experience with Git, including branching and upstream contributions.

Nice To Haves

Background that includes both startup and scale-stage product engineering.
Experience with autonomous systems, UAVs, robotics, or defense technology.
Experience with QGroundControl, MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, or similar platforms.
Experience with TAK ecosystems or tactical mission applications.
Experience integrating cameras, gimbals, radios, or other payload hardware.
Experience with embedded systems or edge computing environments.
Experience with Docker and containerized deployments.
Experience contributing changes back into shared production software repositories.
Experience supporting field deployments and troubleshooting operational systems.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain software interfaces between payload hardware, mission applications, and autonomy systems.
Integrate SDKs and APIs for cameras, gimbals, radios, sensors, and other mission equipment.
Develop tools and applications for payload configuration, monitoring, and control.
Customize or extend mission applications such as QGroundControl, TAK-based applications, and related operator interfaces.
Debug complex systems spanning Linux, networking, hardware interfaces, and distributed software components.
Build Docker-based deployment workflows for fielded software capabilities.
Develop and validate integrations in a side-branch process and collaborate with the core software team to upstream production-ready changes.
Participate in field testing, demonstrations, and integration activities.
Support field deployments and troubleshoot operational systems.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
Equity grants for new hires.
Unlimited PTO.
Company holidays, including a holiday hiatus in November and December.
Generous parental leave.
Lifestyle Spending Account.
FSA, DCFSA, and HSA.
Hospital indemnity insurance.
Critical illness insurance.
Accident insurance.
Basic life/AD&D and short- and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm, with the option to purchase additional life insurance.
Free 24/7 mental health resources, including therapy.
Additional work-life services, including free legal and financial support.
Relocation assistance may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
Opportunities for career growth.