Applied Intuition
Embedded Software Engineer (Drone Stack)
About this role
Applied Intuition seeks an Embedded Software Engineer to develop and integrate autonomous systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, working across hardware-software integration, flight testing, and field deployment for defense and commercial customers.
What you'll do
- Architect and integrate autonomy stacks onto embedded Linux platforms, connecting autopilots, sensors, and ground control stations
- Perform system-level validation through software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and live flight testing on Group 1–5 UAVs
- Diagnose and resolve software and integration issues to ensure system performance and reliability in real-world operations
- Collaborate with autonomy engineers and DoD stakeholders to deliver scalable, mission-ready capabilities
- Travel 10–20% for on-site integrations, customer demos, and flight operations
- Build service-oriented-architecture software and inter-process messaging frameworks for autonomous systems
What they're looking for
- Modern C++ (C++11/17/20)
- Embedded Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL), Docker, containerization
- Pixhawk autopilots (ArduPilot, PX4)
- Communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet)
- Hardware-software integration and systems debugging
- SIL/HIL testing and validation
- Git, GitLab, Visual Studio Code
- Bash, CMake
Benefits
- Base salary, equity (options/RSUs)
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- 401k retirement with employer match
- Learning and wellness stipends
- Paid time off
- In-office work environment in Sunnyvale with flexible scheduling
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Applied Intuition
Applied Intuition builds autonomous vehicle and defense systems software, including motion planning algorithms, simulation infrastructure, and autonomy integration platforms for aerial and ground platforms. The company is hiring for security engineers, robotics/autonomy software engineers, hardware-in-the-loop specialists, and IT operations professionals to support its growing physical AI operations.
- Website
- appliedintuition.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe your experience integrating autonomy software with Pixhawk autopilots—what challenges did you encounter and how did you resolve them?
- Walk us through a SIL or HIL testing project you led; how did you validate system behavior before live deployment?