Field Systems Integration Engineer at Noda Ai

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site, ~20% typical; may increase up to ~50% during exercises and field events) Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance ABOUT NODA NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors. Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration. THE ROLE We are seeking a Field Systems Integration Engineer to serve as the technical bridge between Solutions Engineering, Field Operations, and the broader engineering organization. This role ensures that NODA systems are not just assembled and operational, but integrated in a way that supports NODA’s architecture, mission workflows, communications assumptions, and internal testing objectives. You will work hands-on with radios, onboard compute, payloads, vehicle integrations, and onboard autonomy systems (PX4/ArduPilot) across fielded unmanned platforms. You will ensure Field Operations builds, configures, and executes systems in alignment with NODA’s technical intent, while identifying and resolving issues through structured debugging, log analysis, and system-level reasoning. This role requires understanding autopilot configuration, failsafe behavior, MAVLink communication, and autonomy stack integration, and using code, configuration, and scripts to bring repeatability and reliability to field integration workflows. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Serve as a day-to-day technical bridge between Solutions Engineering and Field Operations to ensure systems are built and configured in alignment with NODA architecture and mission requirements - Support hands-on integration, bring-up, and troubleshooting of radios, onboard compute, payloads, networking components, and unmanned platforms - Configure and debug onboard autonomy stacks (PX4, ArduPilot), including parameters, modes, and failsafe behavior - Understand and troubleshoot autopilot state machines, flight modes, and mission execution behavior - Manage and debug MAVLink communication, including routing, multiplexing, and telemetry flow between components - Integrate autopilot systems with radios, onboard compute, and mission control systems (e.g., URZA/Maestro) - Debug integration issues across hardware, software, networking, and configuration layers using structured, step-by-step approaches - Read and interpret logs, configs, interface definitions, and system outputs to diagnose issues and validate system behavior - Write or modify scripts and configuration files to improve setup, automation, and repeatability of integration workflows - Support development and execution of validation workflows including SITL, HITL, and field testing - Contribute to containerized test and qualification frameworks for unmanned systems prior to URZA integration - Ensure field-built systems do not diverge from NODA’s architecture, software assumptions, and communications design - Support field exercises and mission events by validating system readiness and assisting with rapid issue resolution - Capture recurring failure modes, integration issues, and field learnings to improve reliability and execution quality over time - Collaborate with engineering teams to surface systemic issues and improve integration patterns, tooling, and workflows REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - 2+ years of hands-on experience in robotics, unmanned systems, system integration, or field engineering environments - Hands-on experience with PX4 or ArduPilot - Strong understanding of autopilot configuration, flight modes, and failsafe behavior - Experience working with MAVLink and understanding telemetry and command flows - Strong troubleshooting ability across hardware and software boundaries - Experience working with embedded systems, onboard compute, radios, and networking - Ability to read logs, debug system behavior, and reason across multiple system layers - Basic proficiency in scripting or programming (Python, Bash, or similar) - Ability to read and understand code, APIs, and interface specifications - Comfort working in fast-moving, field-driven environments with incomplete information - Strong communication skills and ability to work across technical and non-technical teams PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience with UAVs, UGVs, UUVs, or other unmanned systems - Familiarity with Linux systems, networking fundamentals, and distributed systems debugging - Experience with MAVSDK, MAVProxy, or similar MAVLink tooling - Experience with SITL/HITL simulation workflows - Exposure to ROS2, PX4, MAVLink, or similar robotics/autonomy frameworks - Experience integrating autonomy stacks with higher-level orchestration systems - Familiarity with DroneCode ecosystem and autopilot architecture - Experience supporting live demos, exercises, or field testing - Experience building repeatable workflows, scripts, or tooling for system bring-up and testing SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES - Structured debugger who approaches issues step-by-step rather than by trial and error - Systems thinker who understands interactions between platform, communications, software, and mission behavior - Strong ownership and follows problems through resolution across teams - Able to push back constructively when field practices create technical risk - Curious and motivated to learn NODA systems end-to-end - Effective in both lab and field environments under time pressure WHAT WE OFFER - Hybrid work environment - Competitive pay - Flexible time off and generous PTO - Federal holidays - 401(k) - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits - Free One Medical membership GROWTH PATH AT NODA Field Systems Integration Engineer → Senior Field Systems Integration Engineer → Staff Systems Integration Engineer → Principal Systems Integration Engineer We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.