Software Engineer

Software Engineer I - Autonomous SystemsCompensation: $110,000 - $145,000 base salary + performance bonus + equityAbout PowerusPowerus is building the next generation of autonomous systems for defense, national security and critical infrastructure.We design, develop and manufacture autonomous aircraft, maritime platforms and robotic systems that combine advanced hardware with edge AI, perception, flight controls and mission autonomy.Our engineers build technology that interacts with the physical world. Software developed atPowerus runs onboard real systems, processes real sensor data and makes decisions in real time.Position SummaryPowerus is seeking a Software Engineer I - Autonomous Systems to join our engineering team developing the embedded intelligence powering our autonomous platforms.This is a hands-on engineering position focused on software that runs directly on autonomous hardware, including flight computers, embedded processors, sensors, payloads and edge computing platforms.You will work alongside experienced engineers to develop, integrate and test capabilities spanning flight controls, navigation, perception, sensor fusion, edge AI and mission autonomy.This is not a SaaS, web application or enterprise software role. We are looking for engineers who want to write software that makes physical systems perceive, navigate, fly and operate autonomously.What You'll BuildYou will contribute to technologies including autonomous flight software, edge AI running directly onboard robotic platforms, flight control and navigation systems, sensor fusion pipelines, perception and computer vision, mission planning and autonomous decision-making, and software deployed on real aircraft, maritime systems and robotic platforms.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop embedded and autonomy software for unmanned aerial, maritime and robotic systems.Implement features supporting autonomous navigation, guidance, control and mission execution.Contribute to flight controller software and integrations using platforms such as PX4 and ArduPilot.Integrate onboard sensors including cameras, GPS/INS, IMUs, LiDAR and radar.Develop software running on embedded Linux and edge computing platforms.Support deployment of AI and computer vision models directly onto autonomous platforms.Develop in C++, Python and embedded C as appropriate.Integrate hardware and software through ROS2, MAVLink and related frameworks.Participate in simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, field testing and live flight testing.Diagnose software and hardware integration issues using telemetry, logs and debugging tools.Participate in technical design reviews and code reviews.Work directly with electrical, mechanical, hardware and systems engineers.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent demonstrated technical capability.Strong foundation in C++.Working proficiency with Python.Understanding of Linux-based development environments.Strong understanding of fundamental software engineering principles.Demonstrated interest in robotics, autonomous systems, embedded computing or aerospace.Ability to solve technical problems spanning both software and hardware.Ability and willingness to work directly with physical systems during integration and testing.Preferred QualificationsExperience with one or more of the following is highly desirable: ROS2, PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, NVIDIA Jetson, Qualcomm edge computing platforms, embedded Linux, CUDA, TensorRT, computer vision, sensor fusion, SLAM, GPS/INS navigation, flight controllers, robotics, unmanned aircraft systems or autonomous vehicles.Relevant university research, robotics competitions, Formula SAE, UAV projects and independently developed autonomous systems are highly valued.What Success Looks LikeAt this level, success means becoming a reliable contributor who can take defined technical problems, develop high-quality solutions and progressively take ownership of increasingly complex components.You will be expected to learn quickly, spend time working directly with our hardware and develop a deep understanding of how software decisions affect the performance of the overall autonomous system.Why Join PowerusPowerus offers engineers the opportunity to work on problems where software, artificial intelligence and hardware meet.You won't spend your time optimizing dashboards or building enterprise applications. You'll develop technology that flies, navigates, senses, decides and operates in the real world.We operate with the speed and ownership of a technology company while solving some of the most consequential engineering challenges in defense and autonomous systems.CompensationThe anticipated base salary range for this position is $110,000 - $145,000, depending on experience, skills and qualifications.In addition to competitive cash compensation, eligible employees may participate in the Company's equity incentive and performance bonus programs.Equal OpportunityPowerus is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a high-performance team based on ability, experience, character and potential and consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.