Drone Stack Hardware Engineer

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 companys 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 .

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

As a Senior Robotics Hardware Engineer at Applied Intuition you will serve as the primary technical link between hardware design GNC and software teams to deliver integrated flight-ready systems. You will lead the critical hardware-software bring-up process driving initial validation of flight systems from the bench to the airfield while defining seamless communication interfaces across flight controllers and ground this role you will architect repeatable verification workflows and high-fidelity simulation environments including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) to enable rapid iteration and reduce development cycle times. By setting standards for hardware abstraction and building custom real-time monitoring tools you will ensure the delivery of robust scalable and maintainable flight software for next-generation autonomous machines

• Lead the hardware-software bring-up process driving initial integration and validation of flight systems from the bench to the airfield.

• Deliver integrated flight-ready systems by bridging the gap between autopilot firmware onboard compute and peripheral vehicle hardware.

• Define and control system interfaces across flight controllers payloads and ground stations to ensure seamless communication and data integrity.

• Make critical system-level tradeoffs between embedded software performance autonomy requirements and physical hardware constraints.

• Design and scale automated test frameworks including high-fidelity Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) environments with realistic sensor and vehicle simulation.

• Architect repeatable verification workflows that enable rapid iteration and reduce the cycle time from code change to validated flight behavior.

• Build custom tooling for real-time monitoring and post-flight analysis to convert complex test data into actionable system improvements.

• Serve as the technical authority for integration and verification acting as the primary link between hardware design GNC and software teams.

• Support flight test campaigns as a hands-on technical lead troubleshooting integration issues and ensuring mission success.

• Set the standards for design patterns and hardware abstraction to ensure robust scalable and maintainable flight software.

• Degree: Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering or a related technical field.

• At least 5 years of experience in robotics hardware integration embedded systems or aerospace engineering.

• Deep expertise in vehicle electronics integration specifically bridging autopilot firmware (e.g. PX4 ArduPilot) with onboard compute (e.g. NVIDIA Jetson Raspberry Pi) and peripheral sensors.

• Strong proficiency in C and Python with experience writing hardware abstraction layers or drivers for real-time systems.

• Hands-on experience with communication protocols such as CAN UART I2C SPI and MAVLink.

• Proven track record of building and scaling simulation environments specifically Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing for autonomous vehicles or drones.

• Demonstrated ability to lead system-level bring-up moving complex robotics platforms from initial bench-top prototyping to successful field or flight operations.

• Excellent troubleshooting skills and a collaborative mindset with the ability to act as the technical glue between GNC software and mechanical teams.

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: clickhere.

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

• Hands-on experience with R/C systems drone assembly or flight operations.

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.

Dont meet every single requirement If youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 . We will work with you!

Required Experience:

IC