MAVLink & Autopilot Engineer

<h3>About Alta Ares</h3><p style="min-height:1.5em"><br />Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h2>Role &amp; Mission</h2><p style="min-height:1.5em">As MAVLink &amp; Autopilot Engineer, you will be at the core of Alta Ares' UAS development — designing, integrating, and hardening the autopilot and communication stack that underpins our ISR and C-UAS platforms across both fixed-wing and multi-rotor systems.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">You will own the full MAVLink integration layer: from ground control station communication and mission scripting to onboard autopilot customisation and real-time telemetry pipelines. You will work hands-on with ArduPlane and ArduCopter on operational platforms, in environments where reliability, latency, and resilience are non-negotiable.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">This is a deeply technical, field-connected role. You will split your time between the bench and the flight line — writing code in the morning and validating it on a live airframe in the afternoon.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h3>1. MAVLink Integration &amp; Protocol Engineering</h3><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Design, implement, and maintain MAVLink-based communication pipelines between onboard systems, GCS, and ground infrastructure</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Develop custom MAVLink messages, dialects, and extensions tailored to Alta Ares' operational requirements</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Build and maintain MAVLink parsers, routers, and middleware layers in C++ and Python</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Integrate MAVLink with onboard AI inference engines, sensor fusion modules, and mission management systems</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Ensure communication robustness in degraded RF environments, high-latency links, and GNSS-denied conditions</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Contribute to the development and maintenance of Alta Ares' GCS interface and telemetry dashboards</p></li></ul><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h3>2. ArduPlane &amp; ArduCopter Customisation</h3><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Own the integration and customisation of ArduPlane and ArduCopter firmware for Alta Ares' fixed-wing and multi-rotor platforms</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Develop and tune custom flight modes, mission logic, and failsafe behaviours adapted to defence operational requirements</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Implement and validate custom navigation, loiter, and search patterns for ISR missions</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Integrate external sensors and payloads into the ArduPilot ecosystem: optical systems, RF sensors, AI inference boards</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Maintain a clean, well-documented fork of ArduPilot with Alta Ares-specific modifications and upstream contribution where appropriate</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing prior to live flight validation</p></li></ul><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h3>3. GNC &amp; Autonomous Behaviour Integration</h3><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Collaborate with GNC engineers to integrate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms into the ArduPilot stack</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Implement and validate autonomous behaviours: waypoint following, target tracking, dynamic re-tasking, and terminal phase logic</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Develop companion computer interfaces (Raspberry Pi, Jetson, or equivalent) communicating with the autopilot via MAVLink</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Support the integration of AI-driven decision layers with the autopilot for semi-autonomous and autonomous mission execution</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Ensure deterministic, predictable behaviour under edge cases and failure modes</p></li></ul><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h3>4. Field Testing &amp; Operational Validation</h3><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Lead or actively participate in ground testing, bench testing, and live flight test campaigns</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Define test plans, acceptance criteria, and regression test suites for autopilot and MAVLink stack</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Debug in-flight anomalies from log analysis (DataFlash, telemetry logs) and implement fixes rapidly</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Support operational deployments and live demonstrations — including in austere field environments</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Translate field feedback from operators and military users into concrete engineering improvements</p></li></ul><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h3>5. Documentation &amp; Engineering Standards</h3><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Maintain comprehensive technical documentation: architecture diagrams, interface specifications, test reports, and integration guides</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Define and enforce coding standards, review processes, and versioning practices for the autopilot and MAVLink codebase</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Support junior engineers and share expertise across the embedded and software teams</p></li></ul><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h2>Candidate Profile</h2><h3>Experience</h3><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">4–5 years of experience in embedded systems, UAS development, or robotics — with a strong focus on autopilot systems and MAVLink</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Demonstrated hands-on experience with <strong>ArduPlane and/or ArduCopter</strong> on real airframes — not just simulation</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Deep expertise in <strong>MAVLink protocol</strong>: message design, dialect customisation, routing, and integration</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Proven track record integrating companion computers with flight controllers in operational or near-operational UAS</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Experience with <strong>both fixed-wing and multi-rotor platforms</strong> is required</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Prior work in defence, dual-use, or operational UAS environments is a strong plus</p></li></ul><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h3>Technical Skills — You Must Be Able to Do These Yourself</h3><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">C++ and Python development in embedded and companion computer contexts</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">ArduPilot firmware customisation: flight modes, failsafes, mission logic, parameter tuning</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">MAVLink protocol: custom dialects, message routing, parser development</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">HIL/SIL testing with ArduPilot SITL and compatible simulators (Gazebo, JSBSim, RealFlight)</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Flight log analysis: DataFlash logs, MAVLink telemetry, and post-flight debugging</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Companion computer integration: serial/UART, USB, and network-based MAVLink links</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Git-based development workflows in a collaborative engineering environment</p></li></ul><p>Find <a href="https://www.arbeitnow.fr">Jobs in France</a> on Arbeitnow</a>