As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion, you will play a pivotal role in the successful development, integration and deployment of Auterion-powered drone systems.
In this role, you will collaborate closely with the production, hardware engineering, and firmware/software teams, as well as operations, ensuring that every platform transitions smoothly from an airframe concept into a fully validated flying robot ready for deployment. You will serve as the primary technical interface for partners, work closely with them to understand their technical requirements, configure and adapt existing solutions, contribute to core software development, and ensure successful implementation.
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys combining hands-on technical work with customer collaboration and system-level problem solving, bridging the gap between hardware, firmware, and real-world flight performance.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Operate in a highly hands-on environment with evolving system requirements, rapidly iterating across hardware and software integration challenges.
- Manage software releases and perform firmware flashing and configuration using PX4 or adjacent autopilot ecosystems, including sensor calibration, ESC tuning, and system bring-up.
- Provide deep avionics and airframe expertise, including autopilot tuning, sensor and payload integration, power systems and airworthiness considerations.
- Work independently to troubleshoot integration and flight-readiness issues while collaborating cross-functionally with hardware engineering, firmware/software teams, operations, and QC engineering to escalate complex challenges when required.
- Act as the primary technical authority in customer engagements, translating mission requirements into concrete system architectures and demonstrable solutions built on AuterionOS and Skynode.
- Participate in flight testing activities to validate platform stability, safety, and mission performance, resolving technical issues often directly in the field during customer trials and demonstrations.
- Contribute to technical documentation and continuous improvement of engineering processes.
- Feed customer and market requirements back into product and engineering teams to influence the roadmap of the Auterion stack.
Qualifications and Skills
- Degree in Software, Aviation, Robotics, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (M.Sc. optional).
- Experience working with autopilots (ideally based on PX4), mission planning and navigation software, for example performing firmware flashing, vehicle configuration, and flight validation.
- Familiarity with UAV flight testing, system validation, and troubleshooting in real-world operational environments is a plus.
- Understanding of control theory, flight control, plus manufacturing and QC best practices.
- Basic mechanical system and design experience as well as an understanding of fundamental electronics principles including wiring diagrams.
- Solid understanding of embedded communication protocols (CAN, I2C, SPI, etc.) and computer networking principles, firmware debugging, and hardware-software integration.
- Proficiency in C/C++ development and working knowledge of datalink protocols, experience with MAVLink and Python is a plus.
- Familiarity with Linux-based development and debugging environments, including Docker.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills when working with cross-functional engineering and operations teams.
- Proven ability to operate as a technical lead in front of customers, including live demonstrations and field troubleshooting.
- Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments with evolving technical challenges, showing strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Passion for drone technology and a hands-on engineering mindset focused on building reliable flying systems.
- Willingness to travel for on-site integration, testing, and deployment activities.
- EU citizenship required.
Benefits
- Flexible working hours
- Stock Options
- Generous holiday allowance
- Pension plan
- Extended social security package
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- Wellpass membership
About Auterion
We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.
At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.
Skills Required
- Degree in Software, Aviation, Robotics, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- Experience with autopilots, ideally PX4, including firmware flashing, vehicle configuration, mission planning, navigation software, and flight validation
- Understanding of control theory and flight control
- Understanding of manufacturing and quality control best practices
- Basic mechanical systems and design experience
- Understanding of electronics principles, including wiring diagrams
- Understanding of embedded communication protocols including CAN, I2C, and SPI
- Understanding of computer networking principles, firmware debugging, and hardware-software integration
- Proficiency in C and C++ development
- Familiarity with Linux-based development and debugging environments
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Ability to operate as a technical lead in customer engagements, live demonstrations, and field troubleshooting
- Ability to work independently in fast-paced, evolving technical environments
- Willingness to travel for on-site integration, testing, and deployment
- EU citizenship
- M.Sc. degree
- Familiarity with UAV flight testing, system validation, and real-world operational troubleshooting
- Experience with MAVLink
- Experience with Python
- Experience with Docker
What We Do
At Auterion we care about providing enterprise with an ecosystem of software-defined drones, payloads, and third party applications within a single easy to use platform based on open-source standards. We’re leaders in an open-source movement bigger than ourselves and we’ve been on the same mission for over a decade, since our co-founder Lorenz Meier created Pixhawk, MAVLink, QGC, and PX4 (the world’s most widely used open-source drone autopilot operating system). Our mission is to be the drone platform of choice for enterprise, government, and drone manufacturers while accelerating the drone industry by driving forward open standards to create a common, future-proof roadmap in a thriving, open ecosystem of buyers and vendors. At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.
