Mission Software Engineer - San Diego

Department: Autonomy

Location: San Diego

Compensation: $140K – $180K • Offers Equity • Offers Bonus

Employment Type: FullTime

About Us:

Collaborative autonomy is how self-tasking teams of machines will solve hard human problems, and HavocAI is an unquestioned leader in collaborative autonomy. We set the standard for autonomous surface vessels for a wide range of defense and commercial maritime missions. Success requires us to grow quickly, and we’re looking for teammates who are passionate about solving hard problems, about pushing the envelope, and about preventing conflict and saving lives. Ambition is welcome to apply within.

About the Role:

As a Mission Software Engineer at HavocAI, you’ll be at the heart of delivering autonomy where it matters most — in the field, alongside our customers, solving real-world challenges. This isn’t just about writing code; it’s about building, deploying, and owning software that ensures our autonomous systems perform flawlessly in operational environments.

You’ll work across networking, autonomy, systems integration, and robotics to create mission-ready solutions that directly impact national security and maritime operations. From developing new capabilities to troubleshooting live deployments, you’ll balance speed, scalability, and engineering excellence with a relentless mission-first mindset.

If you thrive in dynamic environments, enjoy collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and want to see your work tested and proven in the real world, this role offers the chance to make an immediate and meaningful impact.

Key Responsibilities and Requirements:

• Own and Deliver Solutions: Take ownership of software solutions deployed to customers, ensuring high-quality delivery that meets mission objectives.

• Improve Mission Capabilities: Develop software that enhances HavocAI products for specific operational needs, collaborating with the platform engineering team to scale capabilities to broader use cases.

• Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.

• Analyze and Monitor: Create and leverage performance metrics for debugging and monitoring deployed systems.

• Troubleshoot and Resolve: Identify root causes of system issues, propose solutions, and coordinate next steps.

• Partner with End-Users: Collaborate with customers and end-users to translate needs into features while balancing user experience with technical constraints.

• Real-World Deployment

Qualifications:

• Strong engineering background, ideally in fields such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics.

• 3+ years of experience with C++, Python, or Rust in a Linux development environment.

• Experience building software solutions that involve significant data processing and analysis.

• Ability to navigate and understand complex systems and established codebases quickly.

• Passion for working on mission-critical software with real-world impact.

• Must be a United States citizen and eligible for US Clearance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience developing and testing multi-agent autonomous systems deployed in real-world scenarios.

• Familiarity with robotics and autonomy frameworks such as ROS or MOOS-IvP.

• Experience working with flight systems, safety-critical software, or hardware integration.

• Understanding of distributed communication networks and messaging standards.

• Knowledge of military systems and operational tactics.

Location:

• Must be based in the San Diego, CA area or willing to relocate.

• Onsite presence is required.

Benefits:

• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families

• Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)

• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum

• Equity Package

• Work / Home Office Stipend

• Global Entry

• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave

• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values:

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.