C++ Software Engineer - Drone Stack
Applied Intuition· Robotics/Autonomous Systems· Sep 8, 2026 · 2mo ago
Washington, D.C.
In office
Full-time
Mid
$135K–$185K
3+ years exp
Job description
Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co applied.co.
We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Software Engineer on our Drone Stack team, you will design and integrate complex autonomy and vehicle intelligence systems spanning hardware and software domains. You will integrate hardware and software onto vehicle platforms and deploy autonomy algorithms in both SIL, HIL and live test environments. Computer networking, code integration, and a passion for robotics integration is a must. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver robust, scalable solutions for defense and commercial customers, providing seamless hardware-software integration, troubleshooting, and customer-facing demonstrations.
If you're a strong C++ engineer with no prior drone experience but a keen interest in the space, this role could be an ideal fit.
AT APPLIED INTUITION YOU WILL:
- Adapt and develop modular and agile autonomy capabilities across diverse defense problems
- Integrate and deploy autonomy solutions onto embedded Linux and other hardware platforms, including interfacing with sensors and collecting data
- Troubleshoot complex integration and software issues to ensure high reliability and performance
- Integrate autonomy software into hardware in collaboration with autonomy engineers that supports full integration with aircraft autopilots, datalinks, sensors, PNT/GPS/INS, ground control stations, etc.
- Support live flight test of autonomy software on group 1-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Collaborate with 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors on the integration of Applied autonomy software onto OEM UAS hardware
- Conduct system-level setup, testing, and validation, including software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop evaluations
- Collaborate with autonomy engineers to implement service-oriented-architecture software and inter-process messaging systems for autonomous UASsCollaborate with DoD warfighter domain experts and 3rd party UAS vehicle vendors to develop and integrate autonomy software onto OEM hardware
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
- BS or MS in Robotics, Computer Science or related engineering field
- 3+ years of hands-on experience working with robotic systems (hardware, software, and integration)
- Experience with software programming languages: C++ preferred
- Experience integrating autonomy/robotics products with Pixhawk autopilots (ArduPilot and/or PX4)
- Experience integrating with communication busses & protocols: UART/RS232/RS422/RS485 , SPI/QSPI , I2C , Ethernet
- Experience developing in Docker, containerized deployment environments, and using Linux-based operating systems (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu)
- Experience using git, Visual Studio Code, GitLab
- Familiarity with real-time, edge computing, and safety-critical systems operating in software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), test & operational environments
- Excellent communication skills and customer-oriented project delivery mindset
- Willingness to travel frequently for on-site integration and demonstrations (estimated 10–20%)
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience in modern C++ (2011, 2017, or 2020 standards), Bash, and CMake
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Experience with Agile development practices and CI/CD pipelines
- Prior work with COTS hardware integration such as Nvidia Jetson and Raspberry Pi
- Active U.S. SECRET clearance preferred
Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.
Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.
Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.
FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact careers@applied.co. We will work with you!
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Benefits
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Dental
Vision
401k
Paid Time Off
Wellness