Drones systems engineer

About the RolePhoqtek Labs is seeking an exceptional Drone Systems Engineer who possesses deep expertise across both aerial hardware design and autonomous navigation software.The candidate will be responsible for the design, integration, and deployment of next-generation drones equipped with Visual Navigation Systems (VNS), capable of GPS-denied operation and AI-assisted autonomy.This is not a plug-and-play assembly role you will architect the entire system stack, from sensor fusion and flight control integration to real-time perception and control systems optimized on edge devices like NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano/Xavier.Key ResponsibilitiesHardware Design & Integration- Design, assemble, and optimize multi-rotor and fixed-wing drones, including frame selection, motor & ESC configuration, propeller dynamics, and payload balancing. - Integrate onboard compute modules (Jetson Orin, Raspberry Pi, etc.) with PX4 or ArduPilot flight controllers (CubePilot Orange+, Pixhawk 6X, etc.). - Develop and test power distribution systems, LiPo battery configurations, and telemetry setups (SiK, 433/915 MHz, etc.). - Work on thermal management, vibration isolation, and EMI mitigation to ensure high sensor accuracy.Software & Autonomy Stack- Develop and tune Visual Navigation Systems (VNS) including: - Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) - Visual SLAM (Kimera, ORB-SLAM3, VINS-Fusion) - Depth-based obstacle avoidance - Implement and optimize sensor fusion pipelines (IMU + Vision + GPS + LiDAR) using ROS/ROS2. - Work on autonomous path planning, mission control, and failsafe behaviors. - Deploy real-time inference pipelines for onboard AI (object detection, terrain mapping, human/vehicle tracking). - Integrate MAVLink protocols for communication between companion computers and flight controllers.Systems Engineering & Testing- Calibrate and validate sensors (IMU, magnetometer, barometer, GPS, and camera extrinsics). - Conduct ground and flight tests to evaluate stability, control loops, and navigation accuracy. - Analyze flight logs using QGroundControl, Mission Planner, or MAVLink tools for debugging and optimization. - Manage version-controlled firmware and ROS packages using Git and CI/CD pipelines.Edge & Cloud Deployment- Implement real-time video streaming, telemetry dashboards, and remote monitoring over 4G/5G or Wi-Fi. - Optimize low-latency data pipelines using CUDA, TensorRT, and GStreamer. - Collaborate with AI/ML engineers for data collection, annotation, and retraining pipelines for perception and mapping models.Required Skills & Experience- 1–2 years of hands-on experience in UAV system development (hardware + software). - Proven integration experience with PX4 or ArduPilot flight stacks. - Strong programming skills in C++ and Python for robotics and embedded control. - Deep understanding of ROS/ROS2, MAVROS, and sensor fusion algorithms. - Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson devices (Jetson Orin/Xavier/Nano). - Experience with stereo/depth cameras such as Intel RealSense D455, ZED, or Luxonis OAK-D. - Knowledge of SLAM/VIO algorithms, sensor calibration, and 3D reconstruction. - Familiarity with PCB design, power electronics, and embedded microcontrollers (STM32, ESP32). - Strong background in control systems, flight dynamics, and PID tuning. - DGCA-certified drone pilot license (preferred) — ideal for candidates capable of manual flight testing and maneuver validation.Preferred Skills- Experience with Isaac ROS Visual SLAM, Kimera-VIO, or RTAB-Map. - Exposure to LiDAR integration and point cloud processing (PCL, Open3D). - Proficiency in Docker for containerized robotics deployments. - Understanding of computer vision (OpenCV) and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow). - Knowledge of geospatial datasets, DGCA/IN-SPACe regulations, and BVLOS operational standards.Education- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering or Embedded Systems. - Publications, research projects, or open-source contributions in drone autonomy, SLAM, or VIO are highly desirable.What We Offer- Work at the intersection of AI, photonics, and autonomous UAVs. - End-to-end ownership in drone R&D, from prototype to field deployment. - Access to Phoqtek Labs’ GPU and simulation infrastructure for testing and AI workloads. - Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge aerial autonomy research. - Competitive startup compensation with growth.