Lead Software Engineer - UAV Autonomy Stack

About the role

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a publicly funded research institute in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is looking for an experienced Lead Software Engineer. The role leads software solutions across NXP-based PX4 flight controllers and Nvidia-based and Qualcomm-based mission computers, optimizing them for reliability, safety and performance in complex UAV operations. It also involves developing and productizing the TII Secure Software Platform for large-scale defense UAV mission computer applications.

Key responsibilities

• Integrate robotics applications on NVIDIA and Qualcomm IQ9 platforms for perception, planning and navigation.
• Develop and integrate ROS2-based nodes and middleware to support modular autonomy stacks.
• Optimize GPU-based AI/ML workloads for real-time inference, sensor fusion and decision-making.
• Implement secure application-level network protocols (NATS, ACL, DDS, etc.) between robotic platforms and the Ground Control Station, covering message exchange, authentication, encryption, telemetry and command/control flows.
• Develop tools and APIs for efficient data exchange across mission-critical components.
• Support multi-sensor integration (camera, LiDAR, GNSS, IMU) with ROS2 middleware.
• Take ownership of SW features and productization of the TII Secure Software Platform.

Required profile

• Deep understanding of real-time embedded systems and PX4 autopilot software.
• Ability to integrate high-performance applications on NVIDIA and Qualcomm IQ9 platforms.
• Basic understanding of flight controller devices and PX4-based platforms, including real-time operation, MAVLink/UDP communication, telemetry, command/control flows, parameter management, sensor interfaces and integration with NVIDIA mission computer software.
• Experience implementing secure network protocols and working with flight controller hardware, FPGA, security and systems.