Embedded Systems & Firmware Engineer
Swarm Defense, Auburn Hills, MI, United States
Full time Position - Auburn Hills, Michigan
Company Overview
Swarm Defense Technologies is a defense-focused division of Firefly, developing advanced unmanned aerial systems for national security, testing, and emerging mission applications. While our current focus includes targets and training platforms, our long-term vision extends toward fully integrated, mission-capable drone systems designed for real-world operational environments.
We design, build, and fly our systems in-house at our Auburn Hills, Michigan facility, allowing tight integration between engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations. This approach enables fast iteration, high reliability, and direct feedback from real-world testing as we evolve our platforms into operational systems.
Job Summary
We are seeking an Embedded Systems and Firmware Engineer with a strong focus on PX4 and drone flight control systems. This role will be responsible for developing, integrating, and tuning firmware that runs on our in-house flight electronics and directly controls vehicle behavior in the air.
You will work at the intersection of hardware, software, and flight test—bringing up new boards, integrating sensors and peripherals, and improving flight performance and reliability across our drone platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Develop, modify, and maintain PX4-based firmware for multirotor and fixed-wing platforms
Support bring-up of new flight control hardware, including sensors, radios, and peripherals
Integrate and configure IMUs, GPS, magnetometers, airspeed sensors, radios, and payload interfaces
Work closely with electronics and mechanical engineers to ensure clean hardware–software integration
Debug real-time embedded systems using logs, telemetry, and bench tools
Support ground and flight testing, including data analysis and iterative tuning
Contribute to internal documentation and firmware configuration standards
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent experience
Strong experience in embedded C/C++ developmentn
Hands‑on experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar open‑source autopilot stacks
Familiarity with real‑time systems, sensors, and hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN)
Experience debugging embedded systems using logs, GDB, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers
Understanding of control systems, flight dynamics, and vehicle state estimation
Comfortable working directly with hardware and flight test teams
Bonus Points
Experience with ESC firmware or motor integration
Familiarity with STM32 or similar microcontroller platforms
Experience with SITL/HITL simulation and test frameworks
Exposure to defense, aerospace, or safety‑critical systems
Relocation Assistance: We offer financial support to help with your move, ensuring a smooth transition as you join our team.
Comprehensive Health Benefits: We cover 100% of health insurance premiums for our employees.
Retirement Plan: We offer a Simple IRA with employer contributions to help you plan for your future
Swarm Defense Technologies is a build-test-fly environment. Firmware engineers are deeply involved in hardware bring‑up, system integration, and flight testing. Ownership is high, feedback loops are short, and designs improve through real‑world data. Engineers are encouraged to take initiative and help shape both the product and the engineering process as the platform evolves.
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Company Overview
Swarm Defense Technologies is a defense-focused division of Firefly, developing advanced unmanned aerial systems for national security, testing, and emerging mission applications. While our current focus includes targets and training platforms, our long-term vision extends toward fully integrated, mission-capable drone systems designed for real-world operational environments.
We design, build, and fly our systems in-house at our Auburn Hills, Michigan facility, allowing tight integration between engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations. This approach enables fast iteration, high reliability, and direct feedback from real-world testing as we evolve our platforms into operational systems.
Job Summary
We are seeking an Embedded Systems and Firmware Engineer with a strong focus on PX4 and drone flight control systems. This role will be responsible for developing, integrating, and tuning firmware that runs on our in-house flight electronics and directly controls vehicle behavior in the air.
You will work at the intersection of hardware, software, and flight test—bringing up new boards, integrating sensors and peripherals, and improving flight performance and reliability across our drone platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Develop, modify, and maintain PX4-based firmware for multirotor and fixed-wing platforms
Support bring-up of new flight control hardware, including sensors, radios, and peripherals
Integrate and configure IMUs, GPS, magnetometers, airspeed sensors, radios, and payload interfaces
Work closely with electronics and mechanical engineers to ensure clean hardware–software integration
Debug real-time embedded systems using logs, telemetry, and bench tools
Support ground and flight testing, including data analysis and iterative tuning
Contribute to internal documentation and firmware configuration standards
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent experience
Strong experience in embedded C/C++ developmentn
Hands‑on experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar open‑source autopilot stacks
Familiarity with real‑time systems, sensors, and hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN)
Experience debugging embedded systems using logs, GDB, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers
Understanding of control systems, flight dynamics, and vehicle state estimation
Comfortable working directly with hardware and flight test teams
Bonus Points
Experience with ESC firmware or motor integration
Familiarity with STM32 or similar microcontroller platforms
Experience with SITL/HITL simulation and test frameworks
Exposure to defense, aerospace, or safety‑critical systems
Relocation Assistance: We offer financial support to help with your move, ensuring a smooth transition as you join our team.
Comprehensive Health Benefits: We cover 100% of health insurance premiums for our employees.
Retirement Plan: We offer a Simple IRA with employer contributions to help you plan for your future
Swarm Defense Technologies is a build-test-fly environment. Firmware engineers are deeply involved in hardware bring‑up, system integration, and flight testing. Ownership is high, feedback loops are short, and designs improve through real‑world data. Engineers are encouraged to take initiative and help shape both the product and the engineering process as the platform evolves.
#J-18808-Ljbffr