---
title: 'Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-engineer-auterion-san-francisco-0m92em11j3zt'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-14'
---

# Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion

- **Company:** Auterion
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-09-29
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14
- **Apply:** https://auterion.com/company/careers-open-position/8855164002?gh_jid=8855164002

## Job description

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion, you will develop, integrate, and deploy Auterion-powered drone systems, working across embedded software, cloud infrastructure, avionics, and flight operations.

You’ll act as a technical interface for customers and partners, translating mission requirements into practical solutions using AuterionOS, Skynode, and PX4. This is a hands-on role involving software development, system integration, troubleshooting, and field testing.

## Responsibilities and Duties

- Develop and maintain edge software in C/C++ and Python on Linux-based platforms such as Jetson and Skynode.
- Build containerized services using Docker and integrate edge systems with cloud infrastructure.
- Implement reliable communication and data pipelines using REST, gRPC, MQTT, WebSockets, and MAVLink.
- Manage firmware flashing, vehicle configuration, sensor calibration, system bring-up, and software releases.
- Integrate and troubleshoot avionics, sensors, payloads, communications, and other vehicle systems.
- Participate in flight testing, customer demonstrations, system validation, and field deployments.
- Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, networking, and Linux integration issues.
- Collaborate with hardware, firmware, cloud, production, operations, and QC teams.
- Act as a technical lead in customer engagements and translate mission requirements into system solutions.
- Contribute to CI/CD, testing, documentation, cybersecurity, and continuous engineering improvements.
- Feed customer and field requirements back into product and engineering teams.
- Travel as needed for integration, testing, and customer deployments.

## Qualifications and Skills

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software, Electrical, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation, or a related field.
- 5+ years of software engineering experience, with strong C/C++ and Python skills on Linux.
- Experience with embedded, edge, companion-computer, or IoT platforms.
- Experience with PX4 or similar autopilot systems; MAVLink experience is a plus.
- Understanding of networking and embedded protocols such as CAN, I2C, SPI, TCP/IP.
- Experience with Docker, cloud APIs, distributed systems, and CI/CD.
- Familiarity with UAV flight testing, avionics, flight control, and hardware/software integration.
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing skills.
- Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
- Passion for drones and autonomous systems.
- Willingness to travel.
- U.S. citizenship required; eligibility for Secret clearance preferred.

## Benefits

- Flexible working hours
- Stock Options
- Unlimited PTO
- Health Insurance (includes dental & vision)
- Medical flex spending
- Life Insurance
- Retirement Plan - 401k
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- Learning and development opportunities

## 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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