Senior Software Engineer, Autonomy

Role Description

As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you are the technical tip of the spear. FDEs are elite, versatile engineers who work shoulder-to-shoulder with our most critical users to solve complex challenges in real time. Your primary mission is to radically decrease the time-to-value of our software by integrating it directly into the user's operational environment.

Because you see firsthand how our technology performs in the wild, you will also act as a crucial conduit, feeding technical insights and feature requirements back to our core product engineering team. This role requires a highly adaptable problem-solver who is comfortable moving fast, navigating ambiguity, and figuring things out quickly in high-stakes environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Integrate with Robotic Platforms: Lead the on-site software integration of our platform with unmanned ground, aerial, and maritime systems, building reliable data bridges between our synchronization layer and robotic autonomy stacks.
• Develop on ROS2 and DDS Middleware: Architect, build, and troubleshoot software nodes within ROS2 frameworks, leveraging DDS (Data Distribution Service) for real-time, publish-subscribe communication between robotic subsystems and our core platform.
• Implement MAVLink Integrations: Build and optimize MAVLink-based communication pipelines for telemetry, command, and control of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), ensuring reliable data exchange between our platform and autopilot firmware.
• Solve Problems in Real-Time: Act as the first line of technical defense, rapidly diagnosing and resolving software, sensor, and communication issues on robotic platforms as they arise during field testing and live operations.
• Bridge the Gap: Translate the unique realities of robotic systems integration—sensor noise, real-time constraints, autonomy edge cases—into actionable technical requirements for the core product development team.

Qualifications

• Must hold an active Secret clearance (Due to federal security clearance requirements, U.S. Citizenship is strictly required for this role).
• 5+ years of experience in robotics software engineering, autonomous systems development, or related fields, including hands-on experience developing, integrating, and testing software on physical robotic platforms (ground, aerial, or maritime).
• 2+ years of technical experience working with ROS2 (Robot Operating System 2), including node development, lifecycle management, launch files, and real-time communication via DDS middleware.
• Prior experience with MAVLink protocol for UAS telemetry and command/control, including integration with autopilot systems (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot) and ground control stations.
• Familiarity with motion planning concepts and algorithms, including path planning, trajectory optimization, and obstacle avoidance in real-world operational environments.
• A highly adaptable, problem-solving mindset, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, move fast, and balance immediate operational fixes with long-term technical fidelity.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, able to translate complex, edge-case technical realities and user workflows into clear, actionable requirements for product engineers.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with sensor fusion and perception pipelines, including integration of LiDAR, IMU, GPS, and camera data for localization and mapping (SLAM).
• Familiarity with simulation environments (e.g., Gazebo, AirSim, CARLA) for testing robotic software prior to field deployment.
• Prior experience with CRDTs (Conflict-free Replicated Data Types) or local-first software architectures to manage complex data synchronization without a central server.
• A background in systems programming (e.g., C++, Rust, or Python) with experience writing performant, real-time code for resource-constrained embedded platforms.
• Direct experience with DoD or defense-related robotic programs, including an understanding of safety, certification, and operational constraints for unmanned systems.
• Experience with edge computing and containerized deployments on robotic platforms, including lightweight orchestration (K3s, Docker) on ARM-based or embedded hardware.
• Familiarity with computer vision frameworks (e.g., OpenCV, TensorRT) and deploying inference models on edge devices for real-time perception tasks.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and meaningful equity.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) and flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible time off for all employees.
• Access to Atlanta and San Francisco offices for remote workers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ditto is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Ditto is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know.