---
title: 'Principal TPM, Drone & Autonomy Software at BRINC'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-tpm-drone-autonomy-software-brinc-seattle-we1sbq9c2pdz'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Principal TPM, Drone & Autonomy Software at BRINC

- **Company:** BRINC
- **Location:** Seattle, WA
- **Compensation:** $145k–$245k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-04-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/brinc/70da9956-a4b7-4b75-9fe0-3498683624da/application

**Skills:** Embedded systems, Autonomy software, Firmware, Software engineering, Perception, Navigation, Control systems, OTA updates, Hardware-in-the-loop testing, Simulation, Validation, Release management, Change control, Telemetry, Logging, Embedded Linux, RTOS, CI/CD, Automated test infrastructure, SLAM/VIO

> Lead execution for device software and autonomy stacks for drones and public safety products. Drive release cadences, coordinate cross-team alignment, and manage technical dependencies between software, hardware, and QA to ensure safe and reliable field deployment.

## Job description

## ABOUT BRINC:

At BRINC, we are building the technology that will define the future of emergency response. As a vertically integrated U.S. drone technology company, BRINC designs and manufactures unmanned aircraft systems, autonomous drone stations, command-and-control software, and advanced autonomy for public safety. Today, BRINC deploys Drone as First Responder (DFR) networks that dispatch drones directly to 911 calls, providing real-time aerial intelligence before ground units arrive and helping first responders make faster, safer decisions. BRINC serves more than 1,000 public safety customers across all 50 states, is the sole drone supplier to Motorola Solutions, and has raised more than $280 million from leading strategic and technology investors, including Motorola Solutions, Index Ventures, Sam Altman, Dylan Field, and others. BRINC is recruiting exceptional engineers to build the next generation of autonomous emergency-response technology, including flight-critical firmware and advanced pilot-assistance capabilities.

## ABOUT THIS ROLE:

We are seeking a Principal Technical Program Manager (TPM), Drone & Autonomy Software to lead execution across BRINC’s device software and autonomy stack for drones and public safety products. In this role, you’ll drive programs spanning embedded/on-device software and the full autonomy pipeline (perception, navigation, controls) coordinating releases, aligning software delivery with new hardware product introductions (NPI), and managing the weekly release cadence for in-market devices. You will serve as the connective tissue between the device software, autonomy, and hardware engineering teams, ensuring that features are developed, validated, and delivered in lockstep with the broader device software stack.

You’ll be responsible for creating predictable releases, maintaining cross-team alignment, and ensuring software ships safely and reliably into the field. This is a critical role with software program leadership spanning new autonomy feature development, embedded platform evolution, and sustaining engineering for existing products.

## KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Own end-to-end execution of device software and autonomy programs spanning embedded/firmware, on-device services, perception, navigation, controls, mission logic, test, and release engineering.
- Drive the week-to-week release cadence for deployed devices, including planning, readiness, rollout coordination, and post-release follow-up for OTA updates.
- Coordinate cross-team release scope and sequencing across device software and autonomy (including perception, SLAM/VIO, guidance, and control subsystems), ensuring clear dependencies, interfaces, and integration timelines.
- Partner closely with hardware engineering and product teams to align device software deliverables with new hardware releases (EVT/DVT/PVT milestones as needed).
- Lead release readiness reviews: quality gates, test coverage, performance/regression expectations, rollback plans, and operational comms.
- Ensure tight collaboration with QA, flight test, and field stakeholders to validate software and autonomy features across simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL),and real-world flight conditions.
- Establish and continuously improve program management processes across both device software and autonomy: release planning, change control, simulation and validation workflows, incident learnings, and metrics.
- Provide clear, concise status reporting to engineering leadership, surfacing risks early and driving tradeoffs across quality, schedule, and scope.
- Drive planning and delivery of autonomy features and capabilities, including localization, mapping, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and intelligent mission behaviors.
- Manage cross-cutting technical dependencies between autonomy subsystems (perception, navigation, controls) and the device software platform, proactively identifying integration risks and resolving blockers.
- Track and communicate program health across multiple parallel development threads, balancing new capability development, safety and reliability improvements, and integration into production releases.

## QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (CS, EE, CE, Robotics, Aerospace, Systems, or related) or equivalent practical experience.
- 7+ years of technical program management experience delivering embedded/device software or autonomy/robotics software for hardware products (robotics/UAVs/aerospace/safety-critical strongly preferred).
- Proven track record coordinating release trains and shipping updates to real-world deployed devices (e.g., OTA, staged rollouts).
- Strong technical fluency across embedded systems and autonomy: firmware/software boundaries, hardware-software interfaces, perception/navigation/controls pipelines, performance constraints, logging/telemetry, and validation strategies.
- Excellent cross-functional leadership skills with ability to align engineering, autonomy, QA, hardware, and operations around a single release plan.

## PREFERRED SKILLS:

- Experience with complex hardware/software mission-critical systems.
- Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS, and common device update mechanisms.
- Experience managing hardware/software co-development schedules across EVT/DVT/PVT and production ramp.
- Strong understanding of CI/CD for embedded software and autonomy, including automated test infrastructure, simulation pipelines, and fleet health metrics.
- Familiarity with autonomy or robotics concepts such as SLAM/VIO, GNSS/INS fusion, path planning, obstacle avoidance, or flight controls.
- Experience managing programs involving simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, or field validation of autonomous systems.
- Understanding of fault-tolerant or safety-critical system design, redundancy strategies, and UAV flight safety requirements.
- Startup experience: high ownership, comfort with ambiguity, and bias for action.

## BRINC CULTURE VALUES:

- Try the hard stuff
- Be innovative - Invent the future
- Move fast
- Listen to end-users
- Strive for excellence
- Don’t build a dystopia
- Be frugal
- Save lives through technology

If you’re interested in this role and in joining BRINC, we hope you’ll apply. We’d love to review your application and get to know more about you!

BRINC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is resolute in cultivating an environment that promotes safety, diversity, inclusion and equity. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering every employee so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need, please let our recruiting team know - we strive to provide appropriate accommodation and assistance.

Benefits and perks listed below may vary based on the nature of your employment with BRINC and/or the country within which you work

- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for our employees and their families
- 401K plan
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Flexible Time Off (Exempt) / Paid time off (Non-Exempt)
- Flexible work environment
- Orca pass (for those in Puget Sound)
- Free snacks, drinks and espresso (Seattle office)

## About BRINC

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: BRINC develops end-to-end drone hardware, software, and services built exclusively for public safety, helping first responders de-escalate dangerous situations and save lives.
- **Entity Type**: Private (venture-backed; has raised over $217M in total funding)
- **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington, United States
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: Blake Resnick

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Drone technology, public safety technology, aerospace and defense, robotics
- **Target customers**: Public safety agencies — police, fire, and emergency response departments across the U.S. and globally (B2G/B2B)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To revolutionize public safety by leveraging technology to de-escalate dangerous situations — deploying drones to get eyes and ears in harm’s way without risking lives.

## Products & Services
BRINC offers a connected ecosystem of hardware, software, and services built exclusively for public safety:

- **LEMUR 2 (Indoor Tactical Drone)**: A small, rugged drone designed for indoor operations with features like a glass breaker, 2-way comms (acts as a "flying cell phone"), 4K day/night/thermal camera, and 42-minute flight time. Used for tactical response and building clearing.
- **Guardian (Mid-Sized Outdoor Drone)**: A larger outdoor drone built for Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) programs. Features 640x visual zoom, 64x HD thermal zoom, 40x optical zoom, 62-minute flight time, 60 mph top speed, satellite connectivity, and robotic battery/payload swapping.
- **Responder Station**: A docking/charging station for drones that enables remote operations and teleoperations. Supports robotic battery and payload swapping.
- **Two-Way Comms (Handheld Device)**: A Verizon-connected communication device for first responders with 20-hour talk time, 6-day standby, loudspeaker (audible up to 100 feet), and 2-way comms capabilities.
- **BRINC Safeguard Program**: A subscription-based support program covering hardware/software upgrades, unlimited repairs & replacements, maintenance, and 24/7/365 customer support.
- **BRINC Software Suite**: A web app for team and device management, livestreaming, evidence management, real-time floor plan generation (2D floor plans mid-flight), API integrations, and teleoperations. Includes planning, training, and integration services.
- **Grant Assistance Program**: Helps public safety agencies secure funding for drone programs.
- **DFR (Drone as First Responder) Programs**: Full program support including policy development, FAA Part 107/COA, public education, training, staffing, and operational support for 24/7/365 911 drone response covering up to 200 square miles.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Over $217.2M in total funding raised across 4 rounds (per LinkedIn); annual revenue estimated at $4.5M (per LinkedIn, likely conservative for a hardware company).
- **Annual Revenue**: According to GeekWire, the company "more than tripled revenue" in 2025 and "quintupled monthly production capacity."
- **Customer Base**: Deployed by over 900 public safety agencies in all 50 U.S. states and globally.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not explicitly named in source materials, but the company is backed by significant venture capital. Partnership with Verizon for cellular connectivity.
- **Growth Signals**:
    - Headcount grew 56% YoY (123 employees per LinkedIn; GeekWire reports 160 employees in early 2026).
    - Company expects to exceed 250 employees by end of 2026.
    - Moving to a massive new 50,000 sq ft HQ and factory in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood (West Canal Yards), doubling production footprint.
    - Unveiled the new Guardian drone in 2026.
    - Designed, supported, and made in the USA; NDAA, CJIS, and SOC2 compliant — a key differentiator for government clients.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Mission-Driven Focus**: Purpose-built exclusively for public safety — not a repurposed consumer drone. Founded directly in response to the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting to prevent similar tragedies.
- **End-to-End Single Vendor**: Offers hardware, software, and services (including training, grant assistance, 24/7 support) from one partner, reducing complexity for agencies.
- **U.S.-Based Manufacturing**: All drones designed, supported, and made in the USA. Compliant with NDAA, CJIS, and SOC2 standards — critical for government and law enforcement contracts.
- **Deep Customer Empathy**: Founder Blake Resnick has 30+ years of public safety experience and went on dozens of callouts with Las Vegas SWAT to develop the product. The company "listens to end users" as a core principle.
- **Unique Feature Set**: Glass breaker entry, real-time 2D floor plan generation, satellite connectivity for unlimited range, 2-way comms integrated into drones, and robotic battery/payload swapping — all purpose-built for emergency scenarios.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling Manufacturing** to meet accelerating demand — new 50,000 sq ft HQ/factory in Seattle is designed for massive production scale with tight engineering/manufacturing integration.
- **Expanding DFR (Drone as First Responder) Programs** — helping agencies move from occasional drone use to 24/7/365 911 dispatch coverage, reducing police officer exposure to danger and clearing non-priority calls by drone alone.
- **International Expansion** — already deployed globally, but growth is focused on broadening international footprint.
- **Continuous Product Innovation** — launching the Guardian drone (mid-sized outdoor), developing improved autonomy and teleoperations capabilities, and expanding the software ecosystem.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Culture**: "Save lives through technology" and "Don't build dystopia" are explicit company principles. Employees work on technology that directly reduces harm and protects first responders.
- **Cutting-Edge Hardware + Software**: Work on drones, robotics, embedded systems, autonomy, computer vision, cellular communication, web apps, and manufacturing — a rare full-stack hardware/software challenge.
- **Rapid Growth Stage**: Headcount growing from 123 to 250+ in one year. Early-stage employees have significant ownership and impact potential.
- **Company Principles**: "Try the hard stuff," "Be innovative – invent the future," "Be frugal," "Demand excellence in everything," "Move FAST," "Listen to end users."
- **Location**: On-site in Seattle, WA (Fremont/Queen Anne neighborhoods). BRINC's new HQ is a former fish cannery along the Lake Washington Ship Canal — unique industrial space with manufacturing and engineering under one roof.
- **Work Arrangement**: Primarily on-site roles in Seattle (per career page: "On-site (Seattle, WA)" for most engineering and manufacturing positions). Some remote roles exist (e.g., Manager, DFR Field Operations).
- **Perks & Culture**: High-trust environment with a flat structure; direct exposure to founder/CEO; opportunity to interface with real customers (police, fire, EMS) and see the impact of your work.
- **Engineering Focus**: Roles span mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, RF engineering, embedded software, autonomy, test engineering, software development (SDET), and R&D. Strong emphasis on iterative design and real-world testing with first responders.
- **Values**: "Be open, transparent and honest," "Move carefully and with purpose," "Be mindful of the implications of our work."

## Sources
1. [brincdrones.com - Homepage](https://brincdrones.com/)
2. [brincdrones.com - About](https://brincdrones.com/about/)
3. [brincdrones.com - Careers](https://brincdrones.com/work-at-brinc/)
4. [LinkedIn - BRINC Drones](https://www.linkedin.com/company/brincdrones)
5. [GeekWire - Drone home: Brinc moving to massive new HQ and factory](https://www.geekwire.com/2026/drone-home-brinc-moving-to-massive-new-hq-and-factory-in-seattle-amid-startups-rapid-growth/

_…truncated._

## Other roles at BRINC

- [Senior TPM, Integrations & Partner Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-tpm-integrations-partner-engineering-brinc-seattle-0m6wv22vm8pt) — Seattle, WA
- [Quality Inspector](https://feeny.ai/job/quality-inspector-brinc-seattle-7gnvnwqey4a7) — Seattle, WA
- [Account Executive, Fire/EMS](https://feeny.ai/job/account-executive-fire-ems-brinc-select-territories-xy6dnt2m8pr4) — Select Territories, United States
- [Recruiting Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/recruiting-coordinator-brinc-seattle-r9k85z1r9m75) — Seattle, WA
- [Quality Inspector, 2nd Shift](https://feeny.ai/job/quality-inspector-2nd-shift-brinc-seattle-822a8jwq8sa1) — Seattle, WA
- [Production Technician, 2nd Shift](https://feeny.ai/job/production-technician-2nd-shift-brinc-seattle-hhp848qz04zb) — Seattle, WA
- [Manufacturing Manager, 2nd Shift](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-manager-2nd-shift-brinc-seattle-e7s4y7pm4nny) — Seattle, WA
- [Forward Deployed Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-engineer-brinc-seattle-w0pbp3wex6nf) — Seattle, WA
- [Area Sales Manager, DFR (East)](https://feeny.ai/job/area-sales-manager-dfr-east-brinc-east-coast-hf2bgx1yeb4v) — East Coast, United States
- [Marketing Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/marketing-manager-brinc-seattle-8gyz8sq2qv6q) — Seattle, WA