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Senior Autonomous Systems Software Engineer

Red Horse Dynamics
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Job Title: Senior Autonomous Systems Software Engineer

Company: Red Horse Dynamics, Inc.

Location: San Antonio, TX (Hybrid/On-Site as required)

Citizenship Requirement: Must be U.S. Citizen

 

About Red Horse Dynamics:

Red Horse Dynamics, founded by U.S. Special Operations veterans, is an early-stage defense tech startup revolutionizing military logistics through the development of a scalable, autonomous, VTOL-capable drone platform, delivering payloads across highly contested environments. With strong momentum in SBIR (AFWERX), early investor interest, and proprietary AI-driven technologies, we are assembling a team to deliver the future of unmanned logistics at scale.

 

Role Overview:

As Senior Autonomous Systems Software Engineer, you will lead the design, integration, and testing of full-stack autonomy for our Group 3 VTOL drone platform. Your mission is to enable robust, resilient, and GPS-denied autonomous flight, multi drone network coordination, and battlefield-grade communication through advanced software architecture. The role includes building multi-modal navigation systems, integrating with ATAK/UxV networks, and advancing onboard AI for operational autonomy. You will collaborate closely with the technical team to build resilient, networked drone behavior that supports distributed operations across land and maritime domains.

 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Autonomous Flight Stack Development

  • Develop, test, and deploy full autonomous navigation stack (PX4/ArduPilot/ROS2-based)
  • Integrate state estimation, mission planning, and behavior trees for contested environments
  • Support terrain following, autonomous VTOL transitions, and fail-safe logic

2. Multi-Modal Navigation Architecture

  • Implement GPS-denied navigation: SLAM, visual odometry, inertial systems, and celestial navigation
  • Fuse data from LiDAR, radar, EO/IR, and INS/GPS into a robust localization framework
  • Ensure resilient performance under jamming, spoofing, or degraded signal conditions

3. Multidrone Networking and Comms Integration

  • Integrate mesh networking protocols to coordinate with other drones and unmanned assets (LoRa, Wave Relay, TrellisWare)
  • Develop autonomous networking behaviors: synchronized routing, cooperative sensing, decentralized resupply
  • Integrate networked control interface for operator-in-the-loop scenarios

4. UI, ATAK, and Operator Interface Integration

  • Build secure, intuitive mission control UIs for Windows/Linux and Android-based ATAK plugin integration
  • Support offline mission planning, drag/drop payload deployment planning, and multi drone netwrok visualization overlays
  • Ensure end-to-end encrypted and authenticated C2 pipeline

5. Simulation, Testing, and Validation

  • Run HITL and SITL simulations using Gazebo, AirSim, or custom battlefield replicators
  • Conduct ground and flight tests in support of TRL advancement
  • Collaborate with test sites (e.g., Texas ranges) for contested environment validation

6. Startup and Innovation Contributions

  • Lead IP filings related to adaptive multi drone network control and resilient navigation
  • Support SBIR proposals and pitch decks with autonomy concepts and demo footage
  • Collaborate with hardware and AI teams to ensure seamless system-wide integration

 

Required Qualifications:

  • B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field (Ph.D. preferred)
  • 5+ years in autonomous UAS, robotics, or mission autonomy development
  • Expert in ROS2, PX4/ArduPilot, C++, Python, and Linux systems
  • Proven experience with GPS-denied navigation, multi-agent/ drone control
  • Familiarity with ATAK plugins, MAVLink, and defense data pipelines
  • U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder (required for SBIR eligibility)

 

Why Join Us:

  • Work on the most advanced autonomous logistics concept in U.S. defense tech
  • Influence ground-zero development of military-grade AI navigation and autonomy
  • Collaborate with combat veterans and technologists building real battlefield tools
  • Equity options, milestone & performance-based bonuses

Apply: contact@redhorsedynamics.com

Website: www.redhorsedynamics.com

Red Horse Dynamics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or veteran status.