About the role
structured by ORIBackIMPACT DronesIntegration Engineer, Radar and Drone Software (Counter-UAS)San Francisco, CAFull-timeVisa SponsorshipAbout the roleWe are Jasper and Alessandro, the founders of Impact Drones (YC S26). We are hiring an integration engineer to connect radars and drones into one system.
What you will do
- Integrating third-party radars, RF detectors and EO/IR cameras into our response software, from vendor SDKs and interface documents.
- Combining their tracks into one air picture, with correct timing and positions.
- Connecting our drones and flight controllers (PX4, ArduPilot, Betaflight, MAVLink) and customer command-and-control systems.
- Test rigs and range tests that prove the full chain, from first detection to launch.
What they are looking for
- You integrated hardware you did not build (a sensor, vehicle or autopilot) and made it work in the field.
- Strong C++ or Python on Linux.
- Comfort with networking, time sync and coordinate frames.
- Tracking or sensor fusion experience.
Nice to have
- Counter-UAS or air-surveillance radar experience, or standards like ASTERIX or SAPIENT.
- You fly FPV or build drones.
- Defense or aerospace experience.
Before you apply
- This role may involve technical data subject to U.S. export controls (ITAR and EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons or eligible for any required export authorization.
Benefits
- Equity: 0.2% to 0.4%, 4-year vesting with a 1-year cliff.
Full posting text
BackIMPACT DronesIntegration Engineer, Radar and Drone Software (Counter-UAS)San Francisco, CAFull-timeVisa SponsorshipAbout the roleWe are Jasper and Alessandro, the founders of Impact Drones (YC S26). We are hiring an integration engineer to connect radars and drones into one system. We do not build radars: we use the best ones, plus whatever a customer already runs, and own the software that turns a radar track into an interceptor launch.
In March 2026, Iranian drones struck three AWS data centers in the UAE and Bahrain. Fiber-optic FPV drones cannot be jammed. The only thing that stops them is a physical intercept. That is what we build. About Impact Drones We sell Air Defense as a Service to civilian critical infrastructure. One container on site senses, decides and launches our interceptors: HUNTER, a kinetic quadcopter in combat in Ukraine against Shahed-class drones; WEAVER, which catches drones intact in a net; and SABLE, our turbojet interceptor.
We integrate radars and own the software. First LOIs signed with defense and data-center customers. What you will own Integrating third-party radars, RF detectors and EO/IR cameras into our response software, from vendor SDKs and interface documents. Combining their tracks into one air picture, with correct timing and positions. Connecting our drones and flight controllers (PX4, ArduPilot, Betaflight, MAVLink) and customer command-and-control systems.
Test rigs and range tests that prove the full chain, from first detection to launch. What you bring You integrated hardware you did not build (a sensor, vehicle or autopilot) and made it work in the field. Strong C++ or Python on Linux. Comfort with networking, time sync and coordinate frames. Tracking or sensor fusion experience. Bonus points Counter-UAS or air-surveillance radar experience, or standards like ASTERIX or SAPIENT.
You fly FPV or build drones. Defense or aerospace experience. Compensation Base salary: $120,000 to $160,000 per year. Equity: 0.2% to 0.4%, 4-year vesting with a 1-year cliff. Where we work On-site in San Francisco, CA, with regular field testing at outdoor ranges and customer sites. How to apply Apply here on Work at a Startup. Put one line at the top of your resume: a sensor or vehicle you integrated that worked in the field, with a link if you can share it.
We read every application ourselves. Jasper and Alessandro This role may involve technical data subject to U.S. export controls (ITAR and EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons or eligible for any required export authorization. Impact Drones is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in line with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.About IMPACT DronesIMPACT builds autonomous interceptor drones that ship in sealed containers.
The box sits at the site it protects, data centers, power grids, airports, bases, with no crew on the pad. When sensors cue a hostile drone, an interceptor pierces its own frangible lid, launches, and rams the target, guided by onboard vision that keeps working when GPS is jammed. Legacy effectors cost $1M+ per shot against $30k threats; ours cost less than the threat and scale with the swarm, the same class of interceptor already downing Shahed drones over Ukraine.
Sites subscribe to protection instead of buying missiles, hardware, reloads and monitoring included: Air Defense as a Service. 180M+ USD in signed letters of intent.Required skillsC++PythonLinuxSensor integrationOther roles at IMPACT DronesFounding Engineer, Robotics and Flight SoftwareSan Francisco, CAFull-timeAutonomy Engineer, Interceptor DronesSan Francisco, CAFull-timeInterested?Let me introduce you to the founders.Skip the processJob detailsSalary$120,000 - $160,000Equity0.2% - 0.4%LocationSan Francisco, CAExperience1+ yearsCompanyNameIMPACT DronesIndustryAITeam Size2View profileFundingLast stageSeedInvestorsY CombinatorFoundersAFAlessandro FiumeCo-founderJLJasper LortijeCo-founder & CEOWhat happens next.No applications, no recruiter spam.
Just the intro.01Confirm the fitA few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.02I pitch you to the companyI write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.03A meeting lands on your calendarIf they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.