Description
Senior Software Engineer, Tactical Applications
Location: San Diego, CA, Remote
Department: Engineering
Location Type: REMOTE
Employment Type: FULL_TIME
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
We’re seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join our Tactical Applications team and help shape the next generation of mission-critical software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In this high-impact role, you’ll lead the development of Ground Control Station (GCS) applications that power the Firestorm UAS platform, along with cross-platform and mobile tools that support real-time tactical operations.
Whether you're working remotely or based out of our San Diego headquarters, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to build robust, intuitive, and secure software used in real defense missions. Your work will directly support warfighters in the field, combining modern C++ and the Qt framework to deliver sensor integration, autonomy, and command and control capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to apply enterprise-grade engineering to national security and contribute to a mission that matters.
What You’ll Do
- Design, develop, and maintain the Ground Control Station (GCS) software suite using Qt 6/Qt Quick/QML and modern C++.
- Build cross-platform Qt applications that operate seamlessly on Windows, Linux, and Android—including configuration, CI/CD, and deployment pipelines.
- Extend and integrate open-source GCS frameworks (e.g., QGroundControl) to accelerate capability development while ensuring codebase modularity and clarity.
- Interface with real-time telemetry systems and C2 protocols (e.g., MAVLink 2, STANAG 4586, Link 16, Cursor-on-Target) via QtNetwork, QSerialPort, and middleware layers.
- Collaborate with avionics, autonomy, and payload teams to visualize live sensor data using Qt Charts, Qt Location, Qt Multimedia, and 3D frameworks.
- Own the entire software development lifecycle: requirements, architecture, implementation, testing, release, and field deployment.
- Continuously iterate on UI/UX based on feedback from operators, while ensuring the software meets MIL-STD security and reliability standards.
- Write clear, maintainable documentation, interface specs, and training materials; mentor junior engineers and enforce code quality standards.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of professional experience delivering Qt-based applications in modern C++ (C++14/17), with 3+ years focused on real-time or mission-critical systems.
- Deep expertise in Qt (Qt Quick/QML, Qt Widgets, Qt Charts, Qt Multimedia) and architectural design patterns such as MVVM or MVC.
- Proven cross-platform development experience:
- Linux: CMake, AppImage/deb/rpm, systemd, Wayland/X11.
- Windows: MSVC/MinGW, windeployqt, MSI/MSIX installers.
- Android: Qt for Android, Gradle, JNI, APK signing.
- Strong integration experience between C++ backend logic and QML front-ends; performance optimization for CPU/GPU-limited environments.
- Proficient in networking and asynchronous programming (TCP/UDP, REST, WebSockets) within Qt.
- Knowledge of secure coding practices and libraries (OpenSSL, libsodium), with experience designing secure-by-default systems.
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills; capable of working autonomously on complex systems and collaborating across teams.
- U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with QGroundControl (QGC): building, extending, or customizing plugins for new vehicle types or mission profiles.
- Expertise in cross-platform and embedded development, including Yocto-based targets and constrained environments.
- Familiarity with UAS communication protocols: MAVLink, STANAG 4586, OMNI, Link 16, Cursor-on-Target.
- Knowledge of Qt test automation (Squish) and experience integrating unit, integration, and GUI tests into CI/CD pipelines.
- CI/CD tooling experience with CMake, Conan/vcpkg, Jenkins, GitLab CI, and automated test frameworks (Catch2, Squish).
- Proficiency with geospatial visualization tools: Qt Location, Mapbox GL Native, OpenStreetMap.
- Experience developing to military or aviation software standards (MIL-STD, DO-178C, etc.).
- Track record of mentoring developers, leading code reviews, and driving best practices in modern C++ (Clang-Tidy, Valgrind, Sanitizers).
- Deep understanding of low-level rendering in Qt (QSG/OpenGL, Qt Quick 3D) and performance tuning for sensor/3D visualizations.
- Integration experience with middleware and robotics frameworks such as ROS 2 (rclcpp, DDS), ZeroMQ, or Protobuf.
- Familiarity with embedded Linux development: cross-compilation, Yocto/Buildroot, and over-the-air (OTA) update mechanisms.
- Knowledge of modern build systems like Bazel or Meson alongside CMake.
- Practical field-test experience with manned or unmanned aerial platforms.
Work Environment
- This role is remote-designated, but we welcome applicants who are local to San Diego or open to relocating.
- Ability to travel up to 10%; may be required for team collaboration, field testing, or customer support.
Compensation
US Salary Range: $140,000 - $178,000 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 & 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.
Export Control Compliance
To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 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 or U.S. Department of Commerce.
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 [email protected] so we can provide the support you need.
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