Senior Software Engineer, Tactical Applications

Who We Are
At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.

About the Role
We’re seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join our Tactical Applications team and help shape the next generation of mission-critical software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In this high-impact role, you’ll lead the development of Ground Control Station (GCS) applications that power the Firestorm UAS platform, along with cross-platform and mobile tools that support real-time tactical operations.
Whether you're working remotely or based out of our San Diego headquarters, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to build robust, intuitive, and secure software used in real defense missions. Your work will directly support warfighters in the field, combining modern C++ and the Qt framework to deliver sensor integration, autonomy, and command and control capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to apply enterprise-grade engineering to national security and contribute to a mission that matters.

What You’ll Do

• 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.
• Write clear, maintainable documentation, interface specs, and training materials; mentor junior engineers and enforce code quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 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.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills; capable of working autonomously on complex systems and collaborating across teams.
• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with QGroundControl (QGC): building, extending, or customizing plugins for new vehicle types or mission profiles.
• Expertise in cross-platform and embedded development, including Yocto-based targets and constrained environments.
• Familiarity with UAS communication protocols: MAVLink, STANAG 4586, OMNI, Link 16, Cursor-on-Target.
• Knowledge of Qt test automation (Squish) and experience integ