Drones systems engineer

About the Role Phoqtek 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 Responsibilities Hardware 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.