Senior C++ Software Engineer

About the role

Applied Intuition is seeking a Senior C++ Software Engineer to join its defense technology team in Fort Walton Beach, FL, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of physical AI for national security applications. In this capacity, you will own the design and implementation of high-performance backend systems that form the backbone of critical defense autonomy products. The role demands deep engagement with complex autonomy challenges across multi-domain environments, including unmanned ground, aerial platforms, and joint-force integration scenarios. You will be responsible for building scalable and reliable infrastructure that enables autonomous systems to function effectively in contested and degraded operational conditions. This position offers the opportunity to work alongside autonomy researchers, product teams, and defense customers to translate demanding mission requirements into robust and efficient software solutions. You will own end-to-end execution of high-stakes engineering workstreams, guiding projects from initial architecture through final deployment and validation. Your contributions will directly interface with U.S. government programs, ensuring that the developed solutions meet rigorous real-world operational demands and security standards.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and implement high-performance backend systems using C++ for Axion and Acuity, which are Applied Intuition's flagship defense autonomy products.
• Solve intricate autonomy challenges within multi-domain environments, encompassing diverse platforms such as unmanned ground and aerial systems.
• Engineer scalable and dependable infrastructure that supports autonomous operations in contested and degraded conditions where system resilience is paramount.
• Collaborate closely with autonomy researchers, product management teams, and defense customers to convert abstract mission requirements into concrete and reliable software solutions.
• Lead the end-to-end execution of high-impact engineering workstreams, maintaining authority over architecture, development, and deployment phases.
• Contribute to the rapid buildout and evolution of the Ann Arbor site, helping to define team culture, establish technical standards, and refine engineering practices.
• Engage directly with Department of Defense programs and defense customers to validate that proposed solutions align with stringent real-world operational demands.
• Develop and maintain software tools using Python to facilitate automation, integration testing, and complex system integration tasks.
• Optimize system performance, concurrency models, and resource utilization to meet the strict demands of edge computing in defense scenarios.
• Ensure software correctness and reliability through rigorous analysis, debugging, and testing methodologies in high-stakes environments.
• Support the creation of technical documentation and design specifications that clearly articulate system architecture and operational behavior.

Requirements

• Possess a minimum of 6 years of professional software engineering experience, with a strong and demonstrable focus on C++ development throughout your career.
• Maintain deep backend engineering fundamentals, including mastery of systems programming, advanced concurrency models, performance optimization strategies, and distributed systems architecture.
• Exhibit a genuine interest in the fields of autonomy, robotics, or physical AI, driven by a desire to understand how software directly controls machines operating in the physical world.
• Bring prior exposure to or a demonstrated curiosity about multi-domain defense systems, while not requiring a formal defense background, indicating a willingness to rapidly learn and adapt to this specialized domain.
• Hold a strong foundation in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering, with the ability to think rigorously about software correctness, system performance, and hardware interactions.
• Show proficiency in Python for the purpose of tooling development, scripting automation, and complex system integration workflows.
• Thrive in environments characterized by high ambiguity, demonstrating the ability to drive clarity and progress forward even in fast-moving and high-stakes situations.
• Communicate effectively with precision and clarity, capable of explaining intricate technical trade-offs to both specialized engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Be a U.S. Citizen, as this role requires the highest level of trust and access to sensitive national security information and infrastructure.
• Be eligible to hold or currently possess an active U.S. Secret security clearance, which is a mandatory requirement for continued employment in this position.

Practical notes

This is an in-office role with an expectation that employees work primarily from the Applied Intuition office five days a week. The company recognizes the importance of flexibility and trusts employees to manage their schedules responsibly, which may include occasional remote work, utilizing a hybrid approach such as starting the day with morning meetings from home before going to the office, or leaving earlier to accommodate personal commitments when feasible.