MAVLink & Autopilot Engineer

About Alta Ares

Alta Ares is a deeptech startup founded in 2024, building real‑time AI for defense operations — ISR, C-UAS, and autonomous systems. Our clients are NATO‑aligned militaries and defence institutions, with regular deployments during live exercises and operational demonstrations. We raised €2M seed in May 2025, 50M in June 2026, and are expanding fast.

Our product suite includes:

• Real‑time AI ISR module deployable on drones and tactical platforms

• Counter‑UAS solution enabling autonomous drone takeover in GNSS‑denied environments

• Full‑stack MLOps platform for training & deploying military‑grade AI models

• Data fusion and trajectory prediction

Role & Mission

As MAVLink & Autopilot Engineer, you will be at the core of Alta Ares' UAS development — designing, integrating, and hardening the autopilot and communication stack that underpins our ISR and C-UAS platforms across both fixed‑wing and multi‑rotor systems.

You will own the full MAVLink integration layer: from ground control station communication and mission scripting to onboard autopilot customisation and real‑time telemetry pipelines. You will work hands‑on with ArduPlane and ArduCopter on operational platforms, in environments where reliability, latency, and resilience are non‑negotiable.

This is a deeply technical, field‑connected role. You will split your time between the bench and the flight line — writing code in the morning and validating it on a live airframe in the afternoon.

1. MAVLink Integration & Protocol Engineering

• Design, implement, and maintain MAVLink‑based communication pipelines between onboard systems, GCS, and ground infrastructure
• Develop custom MAVLink messages, dialects, and extensions tailored to Alta Ares' operational requirements
• Build and maintain MAVLink parsers, routers, and middleware layers in C++ and Python
• Integrate MAVLink with onboard AI inference engines, sensor fusion modules, and mission management systems
• Ensure communication robustness in degraded RF environments, high‑latency links, and GNSS‑denied conditions
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Alta Ares' GCS interface and telemetry dashboards

2. ArduPlane & ArduCopter Customisation

• Own the integration and customisation of ArduPlane and ArduCopter firmware for Alta Ares' fixed‑wing and multi‑rotor platforms
• Develop and tune custom flight modes, mission logic, and failsafe behaviours adapted to defence operational requirements
• Implement and validate custom navigation, loiter, and search patterns for ISR missions
• Integrate external sensors and payloads into the ArduPilot ecosystem: optical systems, RF sensors, AI inference boards
• Maintain a clean, well‑documented fork of ArduPilot with Alta Ares‑specific modifications and upstream contribution where appropriate
• Conduct hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) and software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) testing prior to live flight validation

3. GNC & Autonomous Behaviour Integration

• Collaborate with GNC engineers to integrate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms into the ArduPilot stack
• Implement and validate autonomous behaviours: waypoint following, target tracking, dynamic re‑tasking, and terminal phase logic
• Develop companion computer interfaces (Raspberry Pi, Jetson, or equivalent) communicating with the autopilot via MAVLink
• Support the integration of AI‑driven decision layers with the autopilot for semi‑autonomous and autonomous mission execution
• Ensure deterministic, predictable behaviour under edge cases and failure modes

4. Field Testing & Operational Validation

• Lead or actively participate in ground testing, bench testing, and live flight test campaigns
• Define test plans, acceptance criteria, and regression test suites for autopilot and MAVLink stack
• Debug in‑flight anomalies from log analysis (DataFlash, telemetry logs) and implement fixes rapidly
• Support operational deployments and live demonstrations — including in austere field environments
• Translate field feedback from operators and military users into concrete engineering improvements

5. Documentation & Engineering Standards

• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation: architecture diagrams, interface specifications, test reports, and integration guides
• Define and enforce coding standards, review processes, and versioning practices for the autopilot and MAVLink codebase
• Support junior engineers and share expertise across the embedded and software teams

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 5–8 years of experience in embedded systems, UAS development, or robotics — with a strong focus on autopilot systems and MAVLink
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with ArduPlane and/or ArduCopter on real airframes — not just simulation
• Deep expertise in MAVLink protocol : message design, dialect customisation, routing, and integration
• Proven track record integrating companion computers with flight controllers in operational or near‑operational UAS
• Experience with both fixed‑wing and multi‑rotor platforms is required
• Prior work in defence, dual‑use, or operational UAS environments is a strong plus

Technical Skills — You Must Be Able to Do These Yourself

• C++ and Python development in embedded and companion computer contexts
• ArduPilot firmware customisation: flight modes, failsafes, mission logic, parameter tuning
• MAVLink protocol: custom dialects, message routing, parser development
• HIL/SIL testing with ArduPilot SITL and compatible simulators (Gazebo, JSBSim, RealFlight)
• Flight log analysis: DataFlash logs, MAVLink telemetry, and post‑flight debugging
• Companion computer integration: serial/UART, USB, and network‑based MAVLink links
• Git‑based development workflows in a collaborative engineering environment