Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Payload Integration

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Maneuver Dominance team at Anduril develops operationally relevant, multi-asset autonomy. We are focused on making large groups of autonomous systems work effectively together. We leverage existing Anduril drone platforms like Ghost or Altius, in addition to bringing 3rd party platforms into Anduril’s Lattice ecosystem. 

ABOUT THE JOB

We are seeking a Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Omen Payload Integration to join the Maneuver Dominance team in Abu Dhabi (UAE). In this role, you will design, develop, and integrate software that connects autonomous platforms with mission payloads, including stores management systems (SMS), networked devices, and hardware interfaces. You will architect APIs and data transport layers that move information reliably between vehicles, payloads, and ground systems in demanding operational environments.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving complex problems at the intersection of software, networking, and hardware, and are passionate about delivering mission-critical systems, this opportunity is for you.

What You’ll Do

• Develop Networked Software: Engineer scalable, robust software that interacts with networking devices, managed networks, and common router or switch hardware.
• Payload & SMS Integration: Design and implement software that interfaces with stores management systems (SMS) and other payload subsystems to coordinate the release and control of munitions and mission payloads.
• API/ICD Design: Architect and implement software APIs and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) using HTTP, REST, and gRPC to connect distributed systems across vehicles, payloads, and ground stations.
• Data Transport Engineering: Build and optimize low-level data transport over UDP and TCP, ensuring reliable, low-latency communication in constrained operational environments.
• Hardware-Interfacing Software: Write code that interfaces directly with hardware, bridging embedded devices, sensors, and payload electronics with higher-level autonomy software.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with hardware, systems, vehicle, and payload teams to seamlessly integrate software into physical platforms.
• Real-World Deployment: Travel up to 25% to test, debug, and deploy systems in operational environments.
• Iterative Development: Contribute across the entire software lifecycle, including prototyping, implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Troubleshoot and Debug: Analyze and resolve issues in deployed systems, ensuring reliability and operational success.

Required Qualifications

• Technical Expertise: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• C++ or Rust Proficiency: 5+ years of hands-on experience developing production-grade software in C++ and/or Rust. Strong programmers in adjacent systems languages will be considered if other qualifications are met.
• Networking Software: Experience building software that interacts with networking devices, managed networks, and common router or switch hardware.
• API/ICD Design: Experience designing and implementing software APIs and ICDs, including work with HTTP, REST, and gRPC.
• Data Transport: Solid understanding of low-level data transport layers, including UDP and TCP.
• Hardware Interfacing: Experience writing code that interfaces with hardware (embedded devices, sensors, or payload electronics).
• Systems-Level Thinking: Ability to navigate and contribute to complex systems and established codebases.
• Real-World Impact: Passion for building software that directly influences mission-critical outcomes.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel up to 50% to test and deploy systems.
• Global Operations: Experience working with international suppliers and customers in the EMEA region.
• Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Stores Management Systems: Direct experience with stores management systems (SMS) or related munitions/payload release systems in aerospace or defense platforms.
• Aerospace/Defense Background: Familiarity with aerospace integration standards, vehicle bus protocols (e.g., MIL-STD-1553, ARINC), or DO-178/DO-254 development practices.
• Distributed Systems: Experience designing fault-tolerant distributed systems and message-passing frameworks for multi-node coordination.
• Embedded & Real-Time Systems: Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal development on resource-constrained hardware.
• Programming Skills: Additional experience with Python, Go, or scripting for tooling and test automation.
• Performance Optimization: Familiarity with profiling and optimizing networked and hardware-interfacing software.