Forward Deployed Engineer

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, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace or Robotics Engineering, or a related field • Working proficiency in C/C++ and Python: you can read, debug and patch existing code and write small tools and scripts • Comfortable in Linux environments, including the command line, logs, Docker and basic networking (IP, TCP/UDP) • Hands-on hardware-software integration: system bring-up, wiring and connectors, and embedded interfaces (UART, CAN, I2C, SPI) at a practical level • Structured troubleshooting: you can isolate whether a problem is software, hardware, configuration or RF, often under time pressure in the field • Strong communicator: you can explain technical issues clearly to customers and operators, and report findings back to engineering in a way they can act on • Willing to travel and work on-site with customers, including at test ranges and in field environments • EU citizenship (required for security clearance and customer requirements) Nice-to-have • Experience with PX4 or ArduPilot, MAVLink, QGroundControl or mission planning tools • UAV flight testing and validation in operational environments • Experience with datalinks and radio systems • Previous customer-facing or field engineering role, especially with defense or government customers • German language skills Benefits • Flexible working hours • Stock Options • Generous holiday allowance • Pension plan • Extended social security package • Enhanced materni