ArduPilot Software Engineer

Put your ArduPilot expertise to work on tethered UAS platforms supporting real government and commercial missions as Hoverfly’s ArduPilot Software Engineer, where you'll develop, tune, and sustain ArduPilot-based flight control software on hardware that actually flies.Why You Want This JobYour ArduPilot work goes beyond configuration — you'll modify and extend ArduPilot software directly for airframes and mission profiles most engineers never seeTethered UAS is a specialized domain with genuine defense applications; the depth you build here doesn't come from a general robotics or software jobYou'll close the loop yourself: write the code, run SITL, tune on the bench, and see it perform in flight testSmall team means no bureaucracy between your pull request and the aircraft — your decisions have direct, visible impact on system performanceSanford, FL offers a strong quality-of-life advantage with no state income tax and proximity to Greater OrlandoWhat You'll Be DoingDeveloping, modifying, and maintaining ArduPilot flight control software for Hoverfly's tethered multi-rotor platformsConfiguring, tuning, and troubleshooting vehicle parameters to optimize flight performance and operational reliabilityAnalyzing flight logs and debugging system behavior across SITL simulation and real-world flight environmentsIntegrating avionics components including sensors, GPS, radios, ESCs, and companion computers using MAVLink-based toolingContributing to new autonomy, control, and payload capabilities aligned with the product roadmapWhy You'll Be Successful5+ years of industry experience in robotics, aerospace, embedded systems, or unmanned systemsDemonstrated hands-on experience with ArduPilot development, configuration, tuning, or integration on real hardwareStrong C++ and/or C proficiency in embedded or real-time environmentsExperience with MAVLink, ground control station tools, and flight log analysisComfortable working across SITL, bench test, and live flight environmentsPosition is onsite in Sanford, FL, with an amazing team and a laid-back environment.Must be a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 (U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee).