Software Engineer I/II (ArduPilot & Autonomous Systems)

Location: Fort Pierce, Florida, USA. The role combines office and laboratory work with dockside, outdoor, and on-water vessel testing; occasional travel may be required.

Compensation: Base pay plus an annual equity package and potential bonuses.

Company

hirify.global develops technology for unmanned and autonomous vehicle systems, including defense-oriented platforms.

What you will do

• Develop, modify, and maintain ArduPilot and ArduRover C++ source code for unmanned surface vessels.
• Implement vessel-specific throttle, steering, gear-shifting, engine-control, safety-interlock, operating-mode, and failsafe functionality.
• Develop SITL/HITL simulation environments and automated simulation, regression, and validation tests.
• Integrate MAVLink telemetry, vehicle commands, parameters, autonomous mission execution, navigation sensors, propulsion interfaces, and onboard hardware.
• Support integration with ATAK/WinTAK and third-party command-and-control systems.
• Troubleshoot autonomous-control issues across development, simulation, hardware testing, and on-water operations; collaborate with software, electrical, mechanical, and networking engineers.

Requirements

• Junior-to-mid-level software engineering experience with hands-on ArduPilot source-code development.
• Experience developing, debugging, and maintaining software in C++ and Python.
• Hands-on experience modifying, building, debugging, and testing ArduPilot source code.
• Experience with ArduRover for boats, USVs, or equivalent ArduPilot vehicle platforms.
• Hands-on experience configuring, running, and troubleshooting SITL and HITL/HIL environments.
• Experience developing automated simulation tests, regression tests, and validation workflows for autonomous vehicle software.
• Understanding of MAVLink telemetry, vehicle commands, parameters, mission execution, communication protocols, actuators, navigation, operating modes, safety, and failsafe behavior.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting software on Linux-based systems; using Git, GitLab, or equivalent source-control platforms; and working with Jira or similar issue-tracking systems.
• Familiarity with generative AI coding tools such as Cursor or OpenAI Codex, plus experience integrating software with sensors, embedded hardware, or external control systems.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, communication, teamwork, and technical-documentation skills; ability to implement assigned features with technical guidance and code review.
• Ability to work hands-on with embedded hardware and vehicle-control systems, and willingness to participate in laboratory, dockside, and on-water testing.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, work in confined or awkward spaces, safely move around boats and docks, and work outdoors in marine environments.
• Successful completion of a post-offer background check.
• For ITAR/EAR-restricted work, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence is required, and sponsorship cannot be required.

Nice to have

• ATAK/WinTAK plugin development and integration, TAK ecosystem experience, and Cursor on Target knowledge.
• Autonomous boat or USV development and on-water testing experience.
• Experience with marine propulsion, throttle, gear shifting, steering, actuator control, CAN bus, serial communications, and marine engine integration.
• Experience with GNSS, IMUs, compass or heading sensors, and navigation systems.
• Experience with NVIDIA Jetson or other embedded computing platforms.
• Experience with TCP/IP, UDP, remote vehicle communication systems, Docker, GitLab CI/CD, and automated deployment workflows.
• Experience with robotics, autonomous vehicles, or defense systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on work combining software development, physical vehicle hardware, laboratory activities, and marine operations.
• Collaboration across software, electrical, mechanical, and networking disciplines.
• Participation in code reviews, software testing, release processes, and technical documentation.
• Base pay includes a potential annual equity package and bonuses.
• Equal employment opportunities are provided in accordance with applicable federal and state law.
• The company participates in E-Verify for employment eligibility and right-to-work compliance.