Company Overview: Dedrone is the world’s most trusted smart airspace security company. Hundreds of commercial, government and military customers around the world rely on Dedrone’s comprehensive, command and control (C2) solution to protect against the persistent and escalating threat from drones while enabling “good” drones to fly. By leveraging AI/ML, Dedrone is the only solution that provides continuous, autonomous interrogation and verification of drones that enables both multi-sensor and multi-mitigation options onto a single fused "pane-of-glass". Whether on-premise / air-gapped or in the cloud, Dedrone customers can easily detect, track, identify, analyze, and mitigate drone threats.
Your Impact
As a key contributor to the RF Development team, your work will directly influence the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of our next-generation embedded RF systems. You’ll bring cutting-edge hardware to life by integrating high-speed digital and analog components, optimizing low-level firmware, and ensuring robust system bring-up in the lab. Your designs will power critical field deployments and contribute to secure, scalable product platforms. This role offers the opportunity to shape real-world outcomes through technical excellence and hands-on problem-solving.
Location: Onsite at Sterling, VA office minimum 3 days a week
Reports to: Team lead RF Development
- Design, implement and maintain C/C++ code (bare-metal or RTOS) for microcontrollers driving RF subsystems.
- Evaluate, select and integrate MCUs (ARM, RISC-V, etc.) and peripherals into production PCBs.
- Produce professional-grade schematics and multi-layer layouts; drive reviews for DFM, EMC and regulatory compliance.
- Integrate Flash, SRAM, Ethernet PHYs and high-speed board-to-board links; optimize boot, storage and throughput.
- Work with RF architects on front-end design, and over-the-air performance.
- Lead lab bring-up, debug with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and Spectrum Analyzers, VNAs; automate test where practical.
- Contribute to secure boot, OTA updates, manufacturing test and field diagnostics.
What You Bring
- M.Sc. or higher in Electrical/Computer Engineering (or equivalent).
- 5 + years designing embedded systems with production C++ on ARM-class MCUs.
- Demonstrated expertise creating and releasing complex PCB designs (Altium, Cadence or similar).
- Deep understanding of Flash/SRAM architectures, memory maps and bootloaders.
- Hands-on experience with Ethernet (RMII/RGMII) and board-to-board interconnects.
- Solid grasp of RF principles, and basic RF chain components.
- Comfortable in the lab: power supplies, oscilloscopes, spectrum/VNA measurements, environmental stress testing.
- Preferred would be experience in AI assisted development
This role is based out of our Sterling Office and follows a hybrid schedule. We rely on in-person collaboration and ask that team members work onsite Tuesdays through Fridays, with the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays, unless there is an approved workplace accommodation. We believe that connection fuels innovation, and our in-office culture is designed to foster meaningful teamwork, mentorship, and shared success.
Benefits that Benefit You- Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
- Discretionary paid time off
- Paid parental leave for all
- Medical, Dental, Vision plans
- Fitness Programs
- Emotional & Mental Wellness support
- Learning & Development programs
- And yes, we have snacks in our offices
Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work
Don’t meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Dedrone, we Aim Far. We think big with a long-term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.
Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.
Dedrone is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Dedrone’s impact on the environment. All Dedrone employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Dedrone employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.
We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email [email protected].
Top Skills
What We Do
Dedrone is a leader in airspace security. With more customers around the world than any other airspace security company, we enable our clients to protect people, property, and information from the threat of drones, while enabling the “good” drones to take off (pun intended). The simple fact is that no security company can build a barrier strong enough or high enough to protect from a drone, so we need a tech solution to protect us from the persistent and escalating drone threat. At the same time, the “good” drones will dramatically improve our lives and increase GDP by completing tasks like acting as first responders, delivering medical supplies and retail packages, and more.
By combining advanced sensor-fusion technology with AI-driven pattern recognition software, our solutions enable early and reliable drone detection, pilot location and advanced warning in the event an unauthorized drone approaches a secured area. Our customers include national governments, public safety agencies, sporting stadiums, prisons, private research facilities, critical infrastructure sites like airports and power plants, data centers, VIPs and more.
Drones are the world’s new asymmetric threat to public safety and national security. Dedrone’s dual-use technology was recognized by two major awards this year. The CNBC Disruptor 50 and TIME’s Best Inventions 2023 lists both feature Dedrone as an innovative company disrupting the industry with its breakthrough capabilities and industry-leading customer list.
Dedrone is implemented across 31 countries and is used by five of the G-7 nation governments; 190 critical infrastructure sites; 40 airports; 60+ stadiums; 15+ US federal entities and 20+ non-US governments. We actively provide counterdrone solutions for some of the most high-profile events around the world, working closely with over 120 public safety agencies globally. Our technology is also in use on the front lines in Ukraine, and we are proud to support them in their fight to defend their homeland.
Why Work With Us
At Dedrone, we have a clear mission to protect people from a new threat vector. Additionally, we believe in a flat organization where individual empowerment and open communication drive a more robust and innovative solution set for our customers. We are growing rapidly with over 100% headcount growth in less than 12 months!
Gallery
