Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer for Autonomous UAVs (Hybrid-remote available)

Fiducial

Job Overview

Location

Munich / Delft / Remote

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• Join Fiducial, a rapidly growing deep-tech startup at the forefront of autonomy, perception, and defense, and play a pivotal role in developing and deploying cutting-edge software for on-board Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) autonomy in military applications. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to solutions built for scalability, leveraging low-cost sensors and compute, and to see your work directly impact real-world operational environments across Europe.
• As a Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer for Autonomous UAVs, your primary responsibility will be to architect, implement, and enhance the core GNC capabilities that enable UAVs to operate autonomously and safely. This involves tackling complex challenges such as developing sophisticated interception and collision-avoidance maneuvers, ensuring robust state estimation even under noisy sensing conditions, and seamlessly integrating your solutions with a diverse range of flight controller software systems. You will be instrumental in the entire engineering lifecycle, from conceptualizing and developing novel algorithms to rigorously validating them in simulation environments, conducting hands-on testing in the field during actual flight operations, and iteratively refining your implementations based on the rich data gathered from these flights. Your work will directly contribute to the advancement of autonomous flight technology in demanding operational contexts.
• You will be an integral part of a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team comprising experts in autonomy, robotics, and aerospace engineering. This collaborative environment fosters rapid learning and professional growth, providing you with ample opportunities to take ownership of challenging technical problems and drive them to successful resolution. The team's strong academic backgrounds and practical experience create a dynamic setting where innovation thrives, and where you can contribute to projects ranging from operational collaborations with end-users to low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) research initiatives with government agencies. You will work at the exciting intersection of cutting-edge innovation and practical deployment, contributing to both rapid prototyping tracks and formal R&D programs.
• This role offers significant opportunities for professional development and learning. You will gain deep, practical experience in real-time software development within the context of autonomous flight systems, working with modern C++ and understanding the intricacies of flight dynamics for both fixed-wing and multi-rotor platforms. You will hone your skills in state estimation and sensor fusion, developing an intuitive grasp of spatial mathematics, quaternions, and transform trees essential for robotics and computer graphics. The role encourages taking technical risks, implementing solutions with a focus on engineering best practices, and iterating quickly through tight feedback loops, mirroring the fast-paced nature of innovation. You will develop a profound understanding of the complete design-build-fly-design cycle, gaining expertise in tuning controllers for actual flight vehicles and potentially working with industry-standard flight controllers like Betaflight, Ardupilot, or PX4. Furthermore, you will have the chance to explore and implement higher-level autonomy concepts such as path-planning and trajectory optimization, solidifying your position as an expert in the systems you develop and contributing to the company's mission of advancing UAV autonomy.
• The company culture emphasizes autonomy, determination, and a passion for making advanced technology work in challenging real-world scenarios. You will be empowered to work with significant freedom in how you approach and implement solutions, with project ownership being a core tenet. This environment is ideal for individuals who are driven to learn, comfortable with ambiguity, and eager to contribute to groundbreaking technology. The company's commitment to innovation means that continuous learning is not just expected but is a fundamental part of the role, allowing you to stay at the cutting edge of autonomous systems development. You will have the unique chance to travel abroad and test the solutions you have meticulously built in relevant, operational environments, providing a direct and rewarding connection between your engineering efforts and their real-world impact. This role is designed for individuals who are not only technically proficient but also possess a strong sense of initiative and a desire to make a tangible difference in the field of autonomous aerial vehicles.
• Your contributions will be critical in advancing the capabilities of autonomous UAVs, enabling them to perform complex missions with enhanced safety and reliability. You will be at the forefront of developing next-generation autonomous systems, pushing the boundaries of what is currently possible in military and defense applications. The insights gained from field testing and data analysis will directly feed back into the development cycle, ensuring that Fiducial's software remains at the pinnacle of performance and innovation. This role is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of autonomous flight technology and to build a career defined by significant technical achievement and impactful contributions to a rapidly evolving industry. The company's focus on deep-tech and its ambitious growth trajectory offer a dynamic and rewarding career path for motivated engineers.

🎯 Requirements

• Good understanding of, and experience with, modern C++
• Real-time software development experience (e.g., game, simulation, robotics, or embedded development)
• Foundational understanding of fixed-wing and multi-rotor flight dynamics (theoretical and practical experience)
• Experience implementing and tuning controllers in actual flight vehicles (Betaflight, Ardupilot, or PX4)
• Experience with state estimation and sensor fusion concepts
• Deep intuition for transform trees and pose representations (quaternions, spatial math)
• Experience with AI coding agents, prompt engineering and vibe coding
• High degree of autonomy, determination, and grit
• Big Plus: Experience with higher-level autonomy concepts (path-planning, trajectory optimization)

🏖️ Benefits

• Competitive salary ("Money, of course.")
• 25 vacation days per year
• Reimbursed travel expenses and company laptop
• Flexible working hours and option to work from home (2 days/week in NL, or fully remote with travel)
• Working in an international, world-class team solving real-life problems with advanced technology
• Large freedom in work implementation and project ownership
• Opportunity to take technical risks, implement solutions the 'right' way, and iterate quickly
• Responsibility and expertise over implemented solutions
• Traveling abroad to test solutions in relevant environments

Skills & Technologies

Design

Remote

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Fiducial

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About Fiducial

Fiducial is a global provider of financial, accounting, tax, and business services for small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals. Founded in 1970, the company offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to support clients at every stage of their business journey. These services include bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation and planning, legal services, business consulting, and IT support. Fiducial aims to simplify business management, allowing clients to focus on their core operations and growth. With a strong presence in the United States and Europe, Fiducial leverages its expertise and technology to deliver personalized and efficient services, fostering long-term client relationships built on trust and reliability.

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