Firestorm is looking to revolutionize defense solutions by developing cost-efficient technologies for U.S. ally nations, aiming to democratize deterrence through innovative aerial vehicles. The Senior Software Engineer will contribute to this mission by shaping the next generation of mission-critical software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Requirements
- 5+ years of professional experience delivering Qt-based applications in modern C++ (C++14/17), with 3+ years focused on real-time or mission-critical systems.
- Deep expertise in Qt (Qt Quick/QML, Qt Widgets, Qt Charts, Qt Multimedia) and architectural design patterns such as MVVM or MVC.
- Proven cross-platform development experience: Linux: CMake, AppImage/deb/rpm, systemd, Wayland/X11. Windows: MSVC/MinGW, windeployqt, MSI/MSIX installers. Android: Qt for Android, Gradle, JNI, APK signing.
- Strong integration experience between C++ backend logic and QML front-ends; performance optimization for CPU/GPU-limited environments.
- Proficient in networking and asynchronous programming (TCP/UDP, REST, WebSockets) within Qt.
- Knowledge of secure coding practices and libraries (OpenSSL, libsodium), with experience designing secure-by-default systems.
- Experience with QGroundControl (QGC): building, extending, or customizing plugins for new vehicle types or mission profiles.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain the Ground Control Station (GCS) software suite using Qt 6/Qt Quick/QML and modern C++.
- Build cross-platform Qt applications that operate seamlessly on Windows, Linux, and Android—including configuration, CI/CD, and deployment pipelines.
- Extend and integrate open-source GCS frameworks (e.g., QGroundControl) to accelerate capability development while ensuring codebase modularity and clarity.
- Interface with real-time telemetry systems and C2 protocols (e.g., MAVLink 2, STANAG 4586, Link 16, Cursor-on-Target) via QtNetwork, QSerialPort, and middleware layers.
- Collaborate with avionics, autonomy, and payload teams to visualize live sensor data using Qt Charts, Qt Location, Qt Multimedia, and 3D frameworks.
- Own the entire software development lifecycle: requirements, architecture, implementation, testing, release, and field deployment.
- Continuously iterate on UI/UX based on feedback from operators, while ensuring the software meets MIL-STD security and reliability standards.
Other
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills; capable of working autonomously on complex systems and collaborating across teams.
- Write clear, maintainable documentation, interface specs, and training materials; mentor junior engineers and enforce code quality standards.
- U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- Ability to travel up to 10%; may be required for team collaboration, field testing, or customer support.
