Mission Engineer - Air Systems

Job Details

Job Location:

Apium - San Diego, CA 92121

Salary Range: $ - $

Apium Swarm Robotics (ASR) is revolutionizing swarm autonomy software for air, surface, undersea, and ground vehicles operating across dual‑use commercial and defense environments. Our systems are deployed on real platforms, tested in the field, and delivered to customers operating in complex, uncertain, and safety‑critical conditions. We do not build research prototypes or slideware. Our software is integrated into real vehicles, tested in the field, and delivered to customers who depend on operational reliability, speed of execution, and mission relevance.

We prioritize performance over hype. ASR systems represent the next phase in autonomy: collaborative swarming. These are not like pre‑programmed drones for light shows. We are creating real‑time cooperative management that lets one operator control dozens to hundreds of vehicles in real‑time with the ease of controlling a single vehicle. As such, this role requires comfort with responsibility, ambiguity, and operational accountability.

Mission Engineering is responsible for deploying, operating, maintaining, and supporting autonomous vehicle systems in real‑world environments. This role sits at the intersection of business development, engineering, and field deployment, and is critical to ensuring ASR systems perform reliably outside the lab. You will primarily operate and support unmanned ASR‑equipped unmanned aerial vehicles. As time and company opportunities permit, you will also support surface, undersea, and ground vehicles in both commercial and defense contexts, often in unfamiliar, austere, or high‑tempo environments.

You will work with a significant level of autonomy, make decisions, and provide direct feedback to engineering and sales teams based on real operational experience and customer engagement.

• Deploy, operate, and maintain UAS, USV, UUV, and UGV platforms in the field
• Support mission execution involving autonomous and semi‑autonomous systems
• Configure, operate, and troubleshoot autonomy and autopilot hardware/software in real‑time operational conditions
• Perform systems integration, pre‑mission checks, and post‑mission analysis
• Maintain and repair vehicle systems, payloads, and supporting ground equipment
• Operate systems in environments with limited infrastructure, communications, or support
• Provide detailed operational feedback to engineering teams to improve system performance and reliability
• Support business development engagements, demonstrations, customer evaluations, training events, and deployments
• Travel to test sites, customer locations, and operational environments
• Represent ASR professionally with customers, partners, and government stakeholders

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience deploying, operating, or maintaining unmanned systems (UAS, USV, UUV, UGV)
• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Experience operating systems in austere field and/or maritime operational environments
• Strong mechanical, electrical, or systems troubleshooting skills
• Comfort working independently with limited oversight
• Ability to remain calm and effective under operational pressure
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently, sometimes on short notice

• Military experience operating, maintaining, or deploying unmanned systems in land, air, or maritime domains
• Experience with autonomous or semi‑autonomous vehicle operations
• Experience supporting defense, maritime, aerospace, or safety‑critical commercial operations
• Familiarity with command‑and‑control systems, mission planning software, or autonomy platforms
• Experience working in classified, export‑controlled, or government‑adjacent environments
• U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one

• Ability to travel, including international travel
• Ability to work irregular hours in support of field operations and deployments
• Ability to lift, transport, and operate heavy field equipment as required

This position will require successfully completing a post‑offer background check. Qualified…