Embedded Systems and Firmware Engineer

Embedded Systems & Firmware Engineer

Full time Position - Auburn Hills, Michigan

Company Overview

Swarm Defense Technologies is a defense-focused division of Firefly, developing advanced unmanned aerial systems for national security, testing, and emerging mission applications. While our current focus includes targets and training platforms, our long-term vision extends toward fully integrated, mission-capable drone systems designed for real-world operational environments.

We design, build, and fly our systems in-house at our Auburn Hills, Michigan facility, allowing tight integration between engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations. This approach enables fast iteration, high reliability, and direct feedback from real-world testing as we evolve our platforms into operational systems.

Job Summary

We are seeking an Embedded Systems and Firmware Engineer with a strong focus on PX4 and drone flight control systems. This role will be responsible for developing, integrating, and tuning firmware that runs on our in-house flight electronics and directly controls vehicle behavior in the air.

You will work at the intersection of hardware, software, and flight test—bringing up new boards, integrating sensors and peripherals, and improving flight performance and reliability across our drone platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, modify, and maintain PX4-based firmware for multirotor and fixed-wing platforms
• Support bring-up of new flight control hardware, including sensors, radios, and peripherals
• Integrate and configure IMUs, GPS, magnetometers, airspeed sensors, radios, and payload interfaces

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• Work closely with electronics and mechanical engineers to ensure clean hardware–software integration
• Debug real-time embedded systems using logs, telemetry, and bench tools
• Support ground and flight testing, including data analysis and iterative tuning
• Contribute to internal documentation and firmware configuration standards

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent experience
• Strong experience in embedded C/C++ development
• Hands-on experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar open-source autopilot stacks
• Familiarity with real-time systems, sensors, and hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN)
• Experience debugging embedded systems using logs, GDB, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers
• Understanding of control systems, flight dynamics, and vehicle state estimation
• Comfortable working directly with hardware and flight test teams

Bonus Points:

• Experience developing custom PX4 modules or drivers
• Experience with ESC firmware or motor control integration
• Familiarity with STM32 or similar microcontroller platforms
• Experience with SITL/HITL simulation and test frameworks
• Exposure to defense, aerospace, or safety-critical systems

Benefits:

• Relocation Assistance: We offer financial support to help with your move, ensuring a smooth transition as you join our team.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits: We cover 100% of health insurance premiums for our employees.
• Retirement Plan: We offer a Simple IRA with employer contributions to help you plan for your future

Swarm Defense Technologies is a build-test-fly environment. Firmware engineers are deeply involved in hardware bring-up, system integration, and flight testing. Ownership is high, feedback loops are short, and designs improve through real-world data. Engineers are encouraged to take initiative and help shape both the product and the engineering process as the platform evolves.