Full Stack and Embedded Software Engineer; Counter UAS

Company Description

Pheratech Systems builds decentralized swarm intelligence for autonomous systems. Our edge-based autonomy enables each unit to process its own sensor data, plan locally, and communicate over a mesh network, eliminating the need for a central controller and reducing points of failure. This approach allows for effective multi-agent coordination in low-connectivity, high-complexity environments. Pheratech’s autonomy stack supports real-time decision-making and cooperative behaviors across drones, ground vehicles, and maritime platforms, scaling across various missions such as perimeter security and infrastructure inspection.

As a venture-backed company, advised by leaders from defense and homeland security, we’re actively deploying systems and venturing into commercial markets.

• Build robust detection and tracking pipelines using multiple sensors (RF, vision, lidar, IMU) for small UAS in cluttered environments.
• Develop lightweight onboard models for classification and short-horizon intent prediction, optimized for embedded accelerators.
• Design engagement decision logic that prioritizes safety, escalation checks, and mission rules.
• Implement safe mitigation behaviors focused on containment, recovery, and safe disruption rather than destructive action.
• Integrate perception and decision modules into flight software and autonomy stacks; maintain deterministic real-time behavior.
• Lead field tests and analysis; produce reproducible datasets and post-flight reports to improve system performance.
• Work with ops, legal, and compliance teams to ensure all capabilities meet regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Document architecture, parameter choices, and tradeoffs; mentor teammates and help grow the C-UAS capability.

• BS in Electrical, Computer, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or related field; MS preferred.
• 3+ years building perception, embedded ML, or autonomy for UAVs or related robotics systems.
• Experience deploying models on embedded platforms (Jetson, Orin, Coral) and integrating with ROS/ROS2 or equivalent.
• Strong software skills in C++ and Python, and practical knowledge of real-time/embedded constraints.
• Field test experience with UAVs and sensor integration.

• Background in RF sensing or signal processing, or experience with lightweight sensor fusion.
• Familiarity with airspace rules, safety case development, and non-destructive mitigation approaches.
• Experience with multi-agent coordination and constrained autonomy.
• Ability to work in a fast, cross-functional startup environment and to run flight tests end to end.