Le poste
Icarus Swarms develops autonomous drone swarm technologies for defense, security and industrial clients. As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer, you will own critical parts of the software that runs on board our drones and makes the swarm work as one system.
Your missions
- Design, develop and optimize embedded software in C/C++ on embedded Linux and real-time targets (RTOS, microcontrollers)
- Integrate and extend the flight stack (PX4 / ArduPilot) and its interfaces (MAVLink, uORB, DDS)
- Develop low-level drivers and interfaces for sensors, payloads and radio links (UART, SPI, I²C, CAN, Ethernet)
- Contribute to communication within the swarm and between the swarm and the ground (mesh networking, latency, robustness)
- Work on performance, reliability, real-time behavior and security of the onboard software
- Set up testing: unit tests, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL) and flight tests
- Support integration, trials and demonstrations on client sites in Europe, Asia and North America
- Mentor junior engineers and interns, and take part in architecture and code reviews
Interview process
- Introductory call with HR (30 min)
- Technical interview with the CTO and an engineer (experience, embedded architecture, code)
- Practical exercise or technical case study
- On-site meeting with the team in Bordeaux
Practical information
- Full-time permanent contract (CDI), based in Bordeaux, France
- Regular travel to Europe, Asia and North America
- 4+ years of experience required
Profil recherché
- Engineering degree or Master's in embedded systems, computer science, electronics or robotics
- At least 4 years of experience in embedded software development
- Excellent C and modern C++ skills; Python for tooling and testing
- Solid experience with embedded Linux (Yocto/Buildroot, cross-compilation, kernel/driver basics) and/or RTOS (FreeRTOS, NuttX, Zephyr)
- Good knowledge of hardware interfaces and of debugging on target (JTAG, oscilloscope, logic analyzer)
- Nice to have: PX4/ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS 2, radio communications and mesh networking, multi-agent systems, safety-critical or defense-grade development
- Git, CI/CD and testing culture
- Fluent English; French is a plus
- Available to travel regularly (Europe, Asia, North America) for integrations, trials and client demonstrations
Travailler chez Icarus Swarms
Working at Icarus Swarms means joining a defense-oriented deep-tech startup developing advanced swarm robotics systems for sovereign, security, and high-end operational applications. The company operates at the intersection of robotics, autonomy, and real-world deployment, with technologies designed to move rapidly from R&D to field use.
Mission-driven culture
You become part of a highly committed team with a strong sense of purpose: designing robotic swarm systems that address concrete defense and security challenges. Passion, technical excellence, and operational realism are central to everything we build.
International and strategic exposure
Around 80% of Icarus Swarms’ activity is international, involving frequent travel and direct interaction with defense forces, institutional customers, and strategic partners worldwide.
Exceptional deep-tech resources
Icarus Swarms offers material capabilities rarely accessible in a startup environment:
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Thousands of autonomous robotic platforms, including aerial and hybrid systems
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Dedicated outdoor test and flight zones
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A large indoor test hangar enabling year-round experimentation and demonstrations
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A water basin supporting hybrid and multi-domain robotics testing
Startup agility with operational constraints
You will work in a fast-moving deep-tech startup, where decisions are short, responsibilities are broad, and impact is immediate—while maintaining the rigor required by defense and security applications.
Flexible working conditions and benefits
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Possibility to work remotely up to two days per week, depending on operational needs
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Comprehensive health insurance
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Meal vouchers (restaurant tickets)
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A demanding yet rewarding environment combining cutting-edge technology, field operations, and international reach