- Job title
- Forward Deployed Software Engineer
- Job location
- San Francisco, CA, US
- Job description
- **Who we are**
Theseus is a defense technology company building visual positioning to solve reliability for the next 10 million drones. We’re laser focused on solving localization on today’s GPS-denied battlefield because we think it’s the biggest blocker to physical intelligence on drones.
Our products are already being used in real operational environments today. We’re a small team with high ownership and accountability, and we’re looking for engineers who want to move fast, build against real-world constraints, and have the opportunity to have direct impact through their work.
**The role**
We’re seeking a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to own the deployment of Theseus' products onto commercial and government drone platforms.
This role sits at the intersection of software, integration, testing, and field operations. You’ll work directly with autopilots, onboard compute, sensors, operators, and partner teams to get our products integrated, flying, and delivering value in the real world. You should be comfortable moving between code, hardware, field debugging, and operator-facing deployment work.
You will:
* Own end-to-end deployment of Theseus systems in operational environments, from initial integration through operator handoff and sustained field performance
* Integrate Theseus software onto drone platforms using ArduPilot-based systems
* Write and modify Python and C++ code to support integrations, tooling, debugging, and deployment workflows
* Bring up, test, and troubleshoot full systems across autopilot, compute, sensors, networking, telemetry, and operator interfaces
* Work directly with operators and partner teams to understand mission requirements, support field deployments, and adapt systems to real operational constraints
* Train operators and partners on deployment, troubleshooting, and best practices in the field
* Debug issues in real conditions and rapidly turn field feedback into fixes, product improvements, and more repeatable deployment workflows
* Travel as needed, including to Ukraine and other forward deployed operational environments, to support deployments, testing, and mission execution
**You should have the following**
* Strong hands-on experience with ArduPilot and real drone integration work
* Strong programming ability in Python and/or C++, with the ability to build tools, debug production systems, and move quickly across a mixed software/hardware stack
* Strong ownership and bias for action: you can diagnose problems quickly, operate independently, and drive a system to a working outcome under real-world constraints
* Ability to work directly with operators or external partners and communicate clearly in fast-moving environments
* Willingness and ability to travel frequently, including to Ukraine and other forward deployed operational environments
**Nice to have**
* Experience with MAVLink, companion computers, onboard Linux systems, telemetry links, and field networking
* Experience integrating software onto drones, robots, or other edge hardware platforms
* Comfort working directly with operators and adapting systems to mission-specific workflows and constraints
* Experience with PX4, mission planning software, telemetry systems, or operator-facing tooling
* Experience in defense, dual-use, or other high-reliability field environments
