Forward Deployed Engineer

Location: San Francisco, California

Department: Engineering

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion, you will develop, integrate, and deploy Auterion-powered drone systems, working across embedded software, cloud infrastructure, avionics, and flight operations.

You’ll act as a technical interface for customers and partners, translating mission requirements into practical solutions using AuterionOS, Skynode, and PX4. This is a hands-on role involving software development, system integration, troubleshooting, and field testing.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and maintain edge software in C/C++ and Python on Linux-based platforms such as Jetson and Skynode.
• Build containerized services using Docker and integrate edge systems with cloud infrastructure.
• Implement reliable communication and data pipelines using REST, gRPC, MQTT, WebSockets, and MAVLink.
• Manage firmware flashing, vehicle configuration, sensor calibration, system bring-up, and software releases.
• Integrate and troubleshoot avionics, sensors, payloads, communications, and other vehicle systems.
• Participate in flight testing, customer demonstrations, system validation, and field deployments.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, networking, and Linux integration issues.
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, cloud, production, operations, and QC teams.
• Act as a technical lead in customer engagements and translate mission requirements into system solutions.
• Contribute to CI/CD, testing, documentation, cybersecurity, and continuous engineering improvements.
• Feed customer and field requirements back into product and engineering teams.
• Travel as needed for integration, testing, and customer deployments.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software, Electrical, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation, or a related field.
• 5+ years of software engineering experience, with strong C/C++ and Python skills on Linux.
• Experience with embedded, edge, companion-computer, or IoT platforms.
• Experience with PX4 or similar autopilot systems; MAVLink experience is a plus.
• Understanding of networking and embedded protocols such as CAN, I2C, SPI, TCP/IP.
• Experience with Docker, cloud APIs, distributed systems, and CI/CD.
• Familiarity with UAV flight testing, avionics, flight control, and hardware/software integration.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing skills.
• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Passion for drones and autonomous systems.
• Willingness to travel.
• U.S. citizenship required; eligibility for Secret clearance preferred.

Benefits 

• Flexible working hours
• Stock Options
• Unlimited PTO
• Health Insurance (includes dental & vision)
• Medical flex spending
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan - 401k
• Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
• Learning and development opportunities

About Auterion

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.