Ardupilot Engineer

Department: Engineering

Location: Kyiv

Employment Type: FullTime

What we do (and why it matters):

Swarmer develops software that makes drones autonomous and allows them to operate together, in large teams, without pilots required. Our technology has been battle-tested across 100,000+ combat missions in Ukraine — the world's most intense proving ground for drone warfare. We just closed a $15M Series A (the largest investment in Ukrainian defense tech since the war began) and we're scaling operations to serve NATO-aligned nations.

This isn't theoretical. This is software that's being used right now to save lives and defend democracy.

What we’re looking for:

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Ardupilot Engineer to design, implement, and optimize autonomous flight control solutions for UAVs and robotic platforms. The ideal candidate will have strong experience working with Ardupilot or PX4, a deep understanding of MAVLink communication, system configuration, flight tuning, and debugging, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of autonomous systems. You’ll collaborate with AI, perception, and mission-planning teams to build reliable, adaptive, and intelligent multi-robot systems.

You’ll be a good fit if you have:

• 3+ years of hands-on experience with Ardupilot, PX4, or similar open-source autopilot stacks.

• Strong knowledge of MAVLink, mission planning, and UAV communication protocols.

• Practical experience with UAV tuning, flight testing, and log analysis (Mission Planner, MAVProxy, etc.).

• Experience with EKF configuration, tuning, and debugging to ensure accurate navigation and state estimation.

• Understanding of autonomous navigation/LMT/VizNav, control theory, or multi-agent coordination

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced R&D environment.

• Experience working with Python or any similar language for custom module development. — a strong plus.

• Familiarity with Linux environments and onboard companion computer setups (e.g., Raspberry Pi, Jetson, or similar). — a strong plus.

• Knowledge of Betaflight/INAV or other flight controller firmware — a strong plus.

What you’ll do:

• Develop, configure, and test Ardupilot-based flight control systems for various UAV platforms.

• Debug and optimize flight behaviors, parameters, and mission execution in both SITL (Software-in-the-Loop) and real flight environments

• Work closely with hardware engineers to support sensor integration (GPS, cameras, LiDAR, etc.) and ensure robust flight performance.

• Contribute to documentation, simulation environments, and internal development standards.

What you’ll get:

• Direct impact in a high-stakes industry where your work enables autonomous systems used on the ground.

• Professional growth through exposure to advanced UAV autonomy technologies and international DevOps best practices.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package (insurance, paid sick leave, 20 paid days off per year).

• Benefits of the defense sector (reservation and related advantages).

• Flexible remote work options (possibility to commute to the office if needed is essential).

How’s the hiring process going:

✔️Intro Call with TA Specialist → ✔️Technical Interview → ✔️Management Interview → ✔️Final interview → ✔️Security check →✔️Offer

Why this matters (and why you should care):

Ukraine is deploying 5 million drones in 2025 alone. The US and NATO are paying attention. The future of defense isn't more pilots—it's smarter software. We're not selling PowerPoints; we're selling proven technology that's been refined under the most demanding conditions imaginable.

Our team is direct, moves fast, and doesn't waste time on performative nonsense. If you want a company with seven layers of approval and endless consensus-building, this isn't it. If you want to do the most important work of your career with people who say what they mean and execute, let's talk.

Ready to Apply?