About the role
structured by ORIBackIMPACT DronesAutonomy Engineer, Interceptor DronesSan Francisco, CAFull-timeVisa SponsorshipAbout the roleWe are Jasper and Alessandro, the founders of Impact Drones (YC S26). We are hiring an autonomy engineer to make our interceptor drones fly the intercept on their own: from a radar track, to the onboard…
What you will do
- Autonomous flight on HUNTER, WEAVER and SABLE: navigation, guidance and control.
- Onboard target detection and tracking with EO and thermal cameras.
- Simulation and flight tests that prove each change before it flies.
What they are looking for
- Guidance, navigation or control code you wrote that flew on a real vehicle.
- Strong C++ on embedded or real-time systems.
- Solid GNC and state estimation fundamentals.
- You debug from flight logs, not only from simulation.
- C++
- Python
- Computer Vision
- Embedded Linux
- Applicants must be U.S. persons or eligible for any required export authorization.
Nice to have
- You fly FPV, and have worked in PX4, ArduPilot or Betaflight source.
- Computer vision on embedded hardware.
- Interceptor, missile or counter-UAS 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: 0.25% to 0.45%, 4-year vesting with a 1-year cliff.
Full posting text
BackIMPACT DronesAutonomy Engineer, Interceptor DronesSan Francisco, CAFull-timeVisa SponsorshipAbout the roleWe are Jasper and Alessandro, the founders of Impact Drones (YC S26). We are hiring an autonomy engineer to make our interceptor drones fly the intercept on their own: from a radar track, to the onboard camera, to a hit or a net catch. 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 Autonomous flight on HUNTER, WEAVER and SABLE: navigation, guidance and control. Onboard target detection and tracking with EO and thermal cameras. Simulation and flight tests that prove each change before it flies. What you bring Guidance, navigation or control code you wrote that flew on a real vehicle.
Strong C++ on embedded or real-time systems. Solid GNC and state estimation fundamentals. You debug from flight logs, not only from simulation. Bonus points You fly FPV, and have worked in PX4, ArduPilot or Betaflight source. Computer vision on embedded hardware. Interceptor, missile or counter-UAS experience. Compensation Base salary: $130,000 to $170,000 per year. Equity: 0.25% to 0.45%, 4-year vesting with a 1-year cliff.
Where we work On-site in San Francisco, CA, with regular flight testing at outdoor ranges. How to apply Apply here on Work at a Startup. Put one line at the top of your resume: the best guidance, control or autonomy result you flew, 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++PythonComputer VisionEmbedded LinuxOther roles at IMPACT DronesFounding Engineer, Robotics and Flight SoftwareSan Francisco, CAFull-timeIntegration Engineer, Radar and Drone Software (Counter-UAS)San Francisco, CAFull-timeInterested?Let me introduce you to the founders.Skip the processJob detailsSalary$130,000 - $170,000Equity0.25% - 0.45%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.