Software Engineer - Autonomy & Ground Systems

Valinor is a new type of defense and government tech company focused on solving the problems others don't. Our unique model of centralized go-to-market and decentralized engineering allows us to move with unparalleled efficiency to identify unmet needs, build right-sized solutions, and get products where they matter most - in the hands of users. Unlike others in the space, who focus on the flashy problems, Valinor exists to solve the quiet, unaddressed problems-the small but significant ones that lead to cracks in the country's strength, stability, and security.

Backed by General Catalyst, Founders Fund, and Friends & Family Capital, Valinor was founded in 2024 and has established strategic partnerships with Palantir, Anduril, and Helsing. We are building the dream team, and we want you on it.

About The Role

Valinor Condor is building the next generation of autonomous VTOL aircraft for defense and enterprise applications. We're a small, technical team moving fast — our vehicle is flying, our customers are real, and the work spans simulation to real life.

We're looking for a Software Engineer to own everything above the flight controller. That means the ground control stack, companion computer software, mission planning tools, simulation infrastructure, and the internal tooling that keeps a fast-moving flight test program organized.

What You'll Do

• On-Board Computer Stack — Own ROS2 nodes, sensor and payload pipelines, MAVLink integration, and the health monitoring and watchdog logic that keeps systems reliable in the field

• Ground Control & Mission Planning — Own GCS software, MAVLink routing infrastructure, TAK/CoT integration, and end-to-end mission planning tooling

• Simulation Infrastructure — Build and maintain the SITL harness and interface layer between the flight dynamics model and autopilot; develop scripted HITL test suites that validate software changes before they reach the flight line

• Flight Operations Tooling — Build the flight data pipeline — log ingestion, storage, indexing, and retrieval at scale — along with team-facing analysis dashboards and automated anomaly detection so engineers aren't manually reviewing every log

• Engineering Infrastructure — Own CI/CD for firmware builds and software releases, enabling rapid integration with clear documentation

• Collaboration — Work with engineering and product teams to translate requirements into working software

What We're Looking For

Required

• 4+ years of software engineering experience, with meaningful time spent on hardware-coupled systems

• Proficiency in C++ and Python

• Experience with ROS or ROS2 in a deployed context

• Comfortable working in Linux environments — systemd, networking, process management, debugging without a GUI

• Strong written communication — you'll translate between domain experts (GNC, EE) and working software

Strongly Preferred

• Experience with MAVLink, PX4, or ArduPilot — you understand how autopilot communication works, not just that it exists

• Familiarity with SITL/HITL simulation environments

• Experience with data pipeline tooling (ingestion, storage, querying of time-series or log data)

• Background in or exposure to defense, aerospace, or other safety-critical software domains

Nice to Have

• Experience with TAK, CoT, or military C2 integration

• Knowledge of MAVLink security, encrypted RF links, or NDAA software compliance

• CI/CD experience in a hardware-in-the-loop context

What Valinor Offers

• Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401K, development stipends, among others.

• Unlimited PTO and two-week company holiday at the end of every calendar year.

• We are a pro-mental health and pro-family company - we actually encourage employees to spend time with themselves and their families. Valinor also provides fertility benefits to those just beginning that journey.

• Fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us.

This role requires the candidate to be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred, but not required.

Valinor is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Valinor team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense and government technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!