---
title: 'Software Integration & Test Engineer – Autonomy & Flight Test at Tycho.AI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-integration-test-engineer-autonomy-flight-test-tycho-ai-cambridge-casz8pkynkrp'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Software Integration & Test Engineer – Autonomy & Flight Test at Tycho.AI

- **Company:** Tycho.AI
- **Location:** Cambridge, MA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-18
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/tycho-ai/6de281c9-a9ae-4cc0-a17e-28d1f9ef2624

## Job description

## ABOUT TYCHO.AI

Tycho.AI is redefining the future of autonomous intelligence. Spun out of MIT and backed by DoD contracts, we are building breakthrough AI and autonomy solutions for unmanned systems operating in GPS-denied and contested environments. We are a fast-growing, dual-use technology company at the forefront of national security and commercial innovation, with a mission to push the boundaries of what autonomous systems can achieve.

Joining Tycho.AI means being part of a team shaping the next decade of autonomy from defense applications to commercial opportunities in areas like logistics, disaster response, and beyond. This role sits at the seam between the software team and the aircraft: you own the path a change takes from a pull request, through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop, and out to the flight line. If you want to split your week between the lab and the field and see your work fly, we want to hear from you.

## RESPONSIBILITIES

- Own the integration path from branch to flight: pull feature branches, build and deploy them to the vehicle, and validate them through SIL, HIL, and flight test.
- Operate and maintain SIL/HIL simulator systems and configurations for the autonomy, perception, and flight control stacks.
- Develop automated regression tests and integrate them into CI.
- Plan and execute flight test campaigns: test cards, safety checklists, ground station operations, and data analysis.
- Triage failures, reproduce field issues in the lab, and file well-scoped bug reports with logs, telemetry, and reproduction steps.
- Build tooling for log ingestion, flight data review, and test reporting, and maintain traceability between software builds and flight results.

## REQUIREMENTS

- Bachelor's or advanced degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- Experience integrating and testing software on complex hardware systems (UAS, robotics, automotive, or similar).
- Strong scripting and automation skills; able to read, build, and debug C/C++.
- Experience with test log analysis and data pipelines (MCAP/rosbag, PX4 Flight Review, or similar).
- Comfortable with Linux, Git, and CI systems (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar).
- Hands-on experience with simulation and/or hardware-in-the-loop test environments.
- Willingness to work in the field: travel to test sites, early mornings, variable weather, and hands-on time with vehicles.

## NICE TO HAVE:

- Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS2, ground control station etc.
- Prior UAS flight test, range operations, or test engineering experience; Part 107 certification.
- Familiarity with GPS-denied navigation, VIO/SLAM, or sensor fusion systems and their failure modes.

## WHY TYCHO.AI

- Be part of a rapidly scaling startup defining the future of autonomous intelligence.
- Collaborative, high-trust culture that values innovation, execution, and continuous learning.
- Competitive salary, meaningful equity, and generous benefits package.

## EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT:

Tycho AI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status.

## E-VERIFY AND RIGHT TO WORK

Tycho AI participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization in the United States. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. and may be subject to a government security clearance process

## About Tycho.AI

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Tycho.AI builds mission-critical autonomy software and compute hardware for unmanned systems operating in GPS-denied and contested environments, enabling real-time edge decision-making without remote control or persistent connectivity.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A; total funding ~$12M)
- **Headquarters**: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Sertac Karaman (Founder & Executive Chair)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense (Air Force, SOCOM), defense primes, and unmanned system integrators (B2G/B2B)
- **Mission statement**: Deliver mission-ready autonomous intelligence for unmanned systems that fly, drive, and decide in the world’s toughest environments — ensuring operations succeed even when GPS and communications fail.

## Products & Services
- **Voyager**: Low-size, weight, and power (SWaP) hardware and software autonomy stack that fuses AI-driven perception, navigation, and control. Enables precision navigation and autonomous decision-making in GPS-denied, comms-degraded environments. Designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for integration on any uncrewed platform.
- **Halley VTOL UAS**: Vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed aerial system validated for C-UAS and one-way attack demonstrations (TRL 6). Supports low-altitude, high-speed flight with swarming capability.
- **Autonomy Software Modules**: Battlefield assessment, threat identification, 3D mapping, multi-agent coordination, and mission planning tools that run entirely on the edge.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of $12M (latest: $10M Series A led by FirstMark Capital, closed November 2025; plus earlier option/warrant rounds and $1M AFWERX SBIR Phase II grant)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**:
  - Investors: FirstMark Capital, Pillar
  - Partners: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), AFWERX, SOFWERX
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew 766.7% year-over-year (now ~18 employees)
  - 18 active job postings (up 157% month-over-month)
  - Secured $2M AFRL TACFI contract (TRIDENT project) to advance maritime autonomy
  - Achieved CMMC Level 2 cybersecurity certification
  - Successful Halley VTOL demonstration at T-REX 26-2 (May 2026)
  - LinkedIn followers grew 1,075% year-over-year to 1,375

## Competitive Advantages
- **MIT Origins**: Founders and key technical staff from MIT research labs bring deep academic rigor and cutting-edge autonomy algorithms.
- **Proven Defense Track Record**: Multiple government contracts (AFRL, AFWERX, SOFWERX) and successful field demonstrations validate technology readiness.
- **True GPS-Denied Capability**: Voyager operates without GPS, comms, or external ranging beacons — a critical differentiator as electronic warfare proliferates.
- **Low-SWaP Design**: Compact module designed for small UAS, enabling swarming and high-tempo operations.
- **CMMC Level 2 Certified**: Demonstrates cybersecurity maturity required for handling controlled unclassified information (CUI) in defense programs.

## Strategic Focus
- **Maritime Autonomy**: The TRIDENT contract aims to deliver overland and over-the-water navigation in GPS-denied environments, extending Voyager to naval platforms.
- **Scalable Swarming**: Developing multi-agent coordination and swarm tactics to enable “low, fast, and in overwhelming numbers” battlefield advantage.
- **Industrial Base Expansion**: Transitioning from prototyping to production, integrating Voyager with existing operational frameworks (e.g., FANTOM middleware).
- **Commercial Adjacencies**: While currently defense-focused, the company’s edge autonomy stack has potential applications in logistics, infrastructure inspection, and disaster response.

## Why Work Here
- **Impact**: Your work directly supports national security; see your code and hardware fly in real-world missions.
- **Team**: Small (18 people), rapidly growing, composed of engineers from MIT, Harvard, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Cruise, and defense primes. Highly collaborative and mission-driven culture.
- **Flexibility**: Hybrid model based in Cambridge, MA (Kendall Square). Flexible hours and work schedules.
- **Compensation & Benefits**: Competitive salaries, excellent medical/dental/vision, 401(k), HSA/FSA, disability insurance.
- **Perks**: Unlimited PTO, growth opportunities in a fast-scaling startup.
- **Office Location**: “The most innovative square mile on the planet” — Cambridge/Kendall Square ecosystem with deep tech and defense talent.

## Sources
1. [tycho.ai](https://tycho.ai/)
2. [tycho.ai/careers](https://tycho.ai/careers)
3. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/tycho-ai](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/tycho-ai)
4. [linkedin.com/company/tycho-ai](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tycho-ai)
5. [cbinsights.com/company/tycho-ai](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/tycho-ai)

## Other roles at Tycho.AI

- [UAV Flight Test Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/uav-flight-test-lead-tycho-ai-cambridge-fdjjb7zsrctx) — Cambridge, MA
- [Operations Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-associate-tycho-ai-cambridge-erns332nn0bm) — Cambridge, MA
- [Embedded Linux Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-linux-software-engineer-tycho-ai-cambridge-q1jtacc3ashy) — Cambridge, MA
- [Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-tycho-ai-cambridge-d1t7v6qng8t0) — Cambridge, MA
- [Machine Learning Engineer - Computer Vision & Robotics](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-computer-vision-robotics-tycho-ai-cambridge-t7s32hppg0ps) — Cambridge, MA
- [Autonomy Engineer - State Estimation](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-state-estimation-tycho-ai-cambridge-z95fzpt3bgyj) — Cambridge, MA
- [Autonomy Engineer - Motion Planning & Controls](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-motion-planning-controls-tycho-ai-cambridge-tyc6sxp8r97j) — Cambridge, MA
- [Autonomy Engineer - Perception](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-perception-tycho-ai-cambridge-dv5n7f7t0s9s) — Cambridge, MA
- [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-tycho-ai-cambridge-vk8jbffjrd28) — Cambridge, MA
- [Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-tycho-ai-cambridge-f7xy46zpyess) — Cambridge, MA