Senior Software Integration Engineer (Payloads & Integrations)

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Firestorm is seeking a Senior Software Integration Engineer to join our Payloads & Integrations team. This role exists to accelerate the integration of new mission payloads and capabilities into Firestorm's autonomous systems. You will operate at the intersection of software, hardware, and mission systems – developing the interfaces, tooling, and integrations required to rapidly deploy new payload capabilities. This includes integrating cameras, radios, sensors, and other mission equipment through SDKs, APIs, and custom software workflows. You will work closely with Firestorm's core software organization, which owns the mainline software stack. Your role will be to rapidly develop and validate payload integrations through an out-of-cycle (branched) development process, then collaborate with the broader software organization to upstream production-ready capabilities into future releases. This is a hands-on IC engineering role for someone who enjoys moving quickly across software layers, debugging complex systems, and solving ambiguous integration problems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations.
5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
Strong programming ability in one or more modern languages (C++, Python, Rust, Go, Java, TypeScript, or similar).
Demonstrated history of holding yourself and your teammates to a high standard, even when it creates discomfort.
Strong software engineering fundamentals with 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 supporting 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
Work within a side-branch development process and collaborate with the core software team to make upstream production-ready changes
Participate in field testing, demonstrations, and integration activities

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Equity grants for new hires
Unlimited PTO
Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December
Generous Parental Leave
Lifestyle Spending Account
FSA
DCFSA
HSA
Hospital Indemnity insurance
Critical Illness insurance
Accident insurance
Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm.
Option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family
Mental Health Resources: free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more.
Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support