Software Engineer, Android Native (C++/NDK) (Robotics)

TL;DR

Software Engineer, Android Native (C++/NDK) (Robotics): Developing and optimizing a native Android ground control station for drone platforms with an accent on C++ systems, real-time telemetry, and vehicle control. Focus on building robust JNI boundaries, optimizing MAVLink communication, and debugging performance-critical native code on ARM64.

Location: Salt Lake City, UT. Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence due to ITAR/EAR restrictions.

Company

hirify.global (Teal Drones) develops advanced drone platforms and ground control software for mission-critical operations.

What you will do

• Own and maintain native C++ ground control functionality, including feature development and long-term stability.
• Build and optimize C++ components using the Android NDK to support real-time mission workflows.
• Develop and maintain robust JNI boundaries, managing memory, threading, and lifecycle behavior.
• Integrate MAVLink communication over multiple transports including UDP, TCP, USB, and Serial.
• Design and implement responsive, real-time UI components using Qt/QML for mission-critical workflows.
• Profile and optimize CPU, memory, and battery usage on ARM64 Android devices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of software engineering experience with strong proficiency in modern C++.
• Hands-on experience building and debugging native code on Android (NDK, JNI, profiling).
• Strong fundamentals in multithreading, concurrency, and performance-sensitive systems.
• Experience with networking in mobile or embedded systems (UDP/TCP/serial/USB).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident to comply with ITAR and EAR regulations.

Nice to have

• Experience with QGroundControl (QGC), Qt/QML, MAVLink, PX4, or ArduPilot.
• Familiarity with video streaming pipelines such as GStreamer, RTSP, or WebRTC.
• Knowledge of OpenGL or GPU rendering in Qt or Android.
• Experience with CI/CD systems (Jenkins, GitLab CI) and Python for tooling.
• Exposure to robotics, UAV systems, or defense applications.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive base pay with a generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics and defense technology.
• Collaborative environment working closely with embedded, firmware, and flight-test teams.
• Engagement in real-world field testing and rapid iteration on mission-critical features.