Firmware/Embedded engineer
Summary
Founding firmware and controls engineer building flight control algorithms and embedded control firmware for a hand-launched micro-missile designed to intercept drones. Work covers control algorithm refinement, detonation/safety logic, sensor integration, and live-fire testing.
Mission
Every month, drones injure and kill thousands of Ukrainians. We build point-defence systems to stop that. Our first product is a hand-launched micro-missile designed to intercept small drones at close range. It is small enough to carry three in a vest and cheap enough for mass deployment. The goal is to change the battlefield in Ukraine through high-volume production, then deliver proven systems to NATO.
Role summary
We are hiring a founding firmware and controls engineer. You will be responsible for the flight control algorithms and the control firmware that gets the missile on target.
This role is based in Kyiv, full time. You will work directly with the Ukrainian military and scale production using front-line feedback. You will not operate near front-line areas and you will work from Ukraine only while the security situation remains stable.
What you will do
Refine, implement in firmware and test control algorithms in live fire tests
Develop detonation and safety logic
Guide flight controller development and integrate sensors
Guide the design of aerodynamic surfaces
Use simulation selectively where it accelerates learning, but prioritise real-world testing
Integrate seeker and flight controls
Requirements
Significant hands-on experience building firmware and implementing control algorithms on physical systems
Experience shipping real systems under time pressure
High personal drive and tolerance for long, intense work periods
Comfortable owning ambiguous problems end-to-end
Able to be based in Kyiv full time
Nice to have
Startup experience or fast-paced R&D experience
Experience with CAD, electronics or computer vision
Serious engineering projects outside work or university
Military background
Track record
We have contracts with two NATO ministries of defence. In four months, we went from concept to a robust missile prototype that is smaller and cheaper than anything comparable, can be fired with one hand and reliably intercepts FPV drones.
Recent work includes
Working with the Ukrainian armed forces to go from pre-idea to warhead design, production and live-fire testing in 24 hours
Car-mounted missile testing at 200 km/h
Building an air cannon in two days, then destructively testing 50 missiles to diagnose a hardware issue
Six launches in a single day, with design iterations between each launch