---
title: 'Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-engineer-auterion-munich-51xk0xs46mtm'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion

- **Company:** Auterion
- **Location:** Munich, Germany
- **Posted:** 2026-08-18
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://auterion.com/company/careers-open-position/8725581002?gh_jid=8725581002

## Job description

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion, you will play a pivotal role in the successful development, integration and deployment of Auterion-powered drone systems.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with the production, hardware engineering, and firmware/software teams, as well as operations, ensuring that every platform transitions smoothly from an airframe concept into a fully validated flying robot ready for deployment. You will serve as the primary technical interface for partners, work closely with them to understand their technical requirements, configure and adapt existing solutions, contribute to core software development, and ensure successful implementation.

This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys combining hands-on technical work with customer collaboration and system-level problem solving, bridging the gap between hardware, firmware, and real-world flight performance.

## Responsibilities and Duties

- Operate in a highly hands-on environment with evolving system requirements, rapidly iterating across hardware and software integration challenges.
- Manage software releases and perform firmware flashing and configuration using PX4 or adjacent autopilot ecosystems, including sensor calibration, ESC tuning, and system bring-up.
- Provide deep avionics and airframe expertise, including autopilot tuning, sensor and payload integration, power systems and airworthiness considerations.
- Work independently to troubleshoot integration and flight-readiness issues while collaborating cross-functionally with hardware engineering, firmware/software teams, operations, and QC engineering to escalate complex challenges when required.
- Act as the primary technical authority in customer engagements, translating mission requirements into concrete system architectures and demonstrable solutions built on AuterionOS and Skynode.
- Participate in flight testing activities to validate platform stability, safety, and mission performance, resolving technical issues often directly in the field during customer trials and demonstrations.
- Contribute to technical documentation and continuous improvement of engineering processes.
- Feed customer and market requirements back into product and engineering teams to influence the roadmap of the Auterion stack.

## Qualifications and Skills

- Degree in Software, Aviation, Robotics, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (M.Sc. optional).
- Experience working with autopilots (ideally based on PX4), mission planning and navigation software, for example performing firmware flashing, vehicle configuration, and flight validation.
- Familiarity with UAV flight testing, system validation, and troubleshooting in real-world operational environments is a plus.
- Understanding of control theory, flight control, plus manufacturing and QC best practices.
- Basic mechanical system and design experience as well as an understanding of fundamental electronics principles including wiring diagrams.
- Solid understanding of embedded communication protocols (CAN, I2C, SPI, etc.) and computer networking principles, firmware debugging, and hardware-software integration.
- Proficiency in C/C++ development and working knowledge of datalink protocols, experience with MAVLink and Python is a plus.
- Familiarity with Linux-based development and debugging environments, including Docker.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills when working with cross-functional engineering and operations teams.
- Proven ability to operate as a technical lead in front of customers, including live demonstrations and field troubleshooting.
- Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments with evolving technical challenges, showing strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Passion for drone technology and a hands-on engineering mindset focused on building reliable flying systems.
- Willingness to travel for on-site integration, testing, and deployment activities.
- EU citizenship required.

## Benefits

- Flexible working hours
- Stock Options
- Generous holiday allowance
- Pension plan
- Extended social security package
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- Wellpass membership

## About Auterion

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.

## About Auterion

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Auterion provides an open operating system and software platform that connects, controls, and orchestrates fleets of autonomous drones and robots for defense, industrial, and civil missions.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Corporate Minority funding stage; total raised $140M)
- **Headquarters**: Arlington, Virginia, United States (with offices in Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, and Rwanda)
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Lorenz Meier (Co-Founder & CEO) and Markus Achtelik (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Defense & government, public safety, energy (oil & gas, utilities), infrastructure & construction, agriculture, inspection.
- **Target customers**: B2B, Government/Defense (U.S. and allied nations), drone manufacturers, large enterprise fleets.
- **Mission**: "Accelerating global adoption of autonomous robotics" by creating the connected operating system for the next evolution in computing. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/company/)

## Products & Services
- **Auterion Mission Control** – A single application to plan, execute, and monitor drone operations across a global fleet; provides live situational awareness, cloud-based analytics, and standardized mission workflows. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/)
- **AuterionOS** – The vendor-independent operating system for autonomous robots, built on open standards (PX4 open source), enabling continuous deployment of apps, automation of complex workflows, and consistent user experience across heterogeneous vehicles. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/)
- **Skynode X** – Integrated compute and autopilot hardware that runs mission planning, real-time video, fleet operations, predictive maintenance, and cloud connectivity. Over 100,000 units under contract. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/)
- **Long Range One Way Attack** – A defense-specific capability delivering precision effects at distances up to 1,000 miles, using Auterion’s software-defined autonomy stack. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/)
- **Government Services** – NDAA-compliant, trusted systems for U.S. and allied government use, including cargo, surveillance, and swarm operations.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company).
- **Key Metrics**: Total funding $140M; estimated annual revenue $100M; headcount of 150 employees (+61.1% YoY); over 100,000 Skynode units under contract. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auterion) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion)
- **Notable Investors**: Rheinmetall (strategic), Lakestar, Mosaic Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, and eight others. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auterion)
- **Growth Signals**: Nominated by the U.S. Government as the standard for its future drone program; achieved first global combat drone swarm live-fire test (single operator striking three targets simultaneously); 462.5% YoY increase in job postings; expansion into UK defense (GM UK Defense) and EU defense. [auterion.com](https://auterion.com/company/) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Open-source foundation**: Built on the PX4 autopilot and Dronecode ecosystem, giving customers vendor independence and continuous innovation.
- **Government standard**: Designated by the U.S. Government as the standard for its future drone program – a powerful moat in defense procurement.
- **Scale of deployment**: Over 100,000 Skynode units under contract, orders of magnitude ahead of competitors.
- **Proven in combat**: Live-fire swarm tests with the U.S. military demonstrate real-world tactical effectiveness.

## Strategic Focus
- **Defense and swarm operations**: Scaling long-range one-way attack and coordinated swarm capabilities for allied nations (U.K., EU, Indo-Pacific).
- **Ecosystem expansion**: Transitioning from single-drone ops to network-centric, multi-domain autonomy across air, land, and sea.
- **Commercial verticals**: Continued investment in inspection, energy, agriculture, and public safety use cases.
- **International growth**: Building local teams and partnerships in Europe, Canada, and Rwanda.

## Why Work Here
- **Impactful mission**: Build systems that deploy directly to military and industrial field operations – “build swarms, not drones.” [auterion.com/careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/)
- **Engineering culture**: Ship code that reaches the field in weeks; decisions made quickly with clear ownership; emphasis on speed and execution over bureaucracy.
- **Values**: “Be bold and audacious,” “Own the outcome,” “Finish the race,” “Team over players,” “Keep moving forward.” [auterion.com/careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/)
- **Growth opportunities**: 45 active job openings with strong hiring trend (+462.5% YoY); roles range from software engineering to GNC, systems engineering, deployment, and factory operations. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion)
- **International experience**: Transatlantic travel opportunities; work across U.S., Switzerland, Germany, UK, Canada, and Rwanda.
- **No degree obsession**: “We value performance and merit, not just degrees.” [auterion.com/careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/)

## Sources
1. [auterion.com – Company & About](https://auterion.com/company/)
2. [auterion.com – Careers](https://auterion.com/company/careers/)
3. [cbinsights.com – Auterion Profile](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/auterion)
4. [linkedin.com – Auterion Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/auterion)

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