Drone Engineer Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

We are hiring a Back End Software Engineer!
Tempe, AZ
The drone industry is not coming, it is here, and it is moving faster than any platform is prepared for. At Deus X Defense, we are building the command and control infrastructure that ties autonomous security systems together in real time: drones, ground robotics, live sensor feeds, and the humans who act on all of it. The systems that power that infrastructure have to be reliable, scalable, and built to perform when the stakes are real.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Deus X Defense is an emerging leader in autonomous security, deploying drone-based solutions to supplement
traditional manned guarding. The company is actively expanding into ground robotics and maritime operations, with a proprietary Command & Control (C2) platform in development that will unify fixed, pivoting, drone, ground robot, and maritime camera feeds into a single integrated operational system. The long-term roadmap includes AI-driven
autonomy across all platforms with human-in-the-loop oversight for critical alerts and events.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Back End Software Engineer at Deus X Defense builds and maintains the systems that power the application
behind the scenes. This role designs APIs, manages data storage, and ensures services are scalable, reliable, and
secure. Working closely with front end engineers and product teams, they enable core functionality and performance while making thoughtful decisions around system architecture and data flow. The ideal candidate is technically rigorous, security-minded, and experienced operating complex systems in demanding, real-world environments.
KEY DELIVERABLES
01 Build the core UX experience for DXD, including the primary map and C2 interface
02 Establish all standard interaction models, structure, and approach for long-term buildout
03 Deliver reliable, end-to-end live streaming from all platforms
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
The MVP backend is running and proven reliable and robust through uptime metrics.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Systems Architecture & API Development
• Establish and own the backend architecture strategy for short, medium, and long-term scale
• Design, build, and maintain robust APIs that power both the front end and external integrations
• Define the API strategy and integration approach across internal systems and third-party platforms
• Make thoughtful architectural decisions that balance performance, scalability, and maintainability
Security, Reliability & Operations
• Develop and enforce key security and administration protocols for the Deus X platform
• Ensure systems are reliable, highly available, and performant under real-world operational conditions
• Manage data storage, data models, and integrations spanning local/on-prem and cloud environments
• Implement monitoring, alerting, and uptime practices to meet reliability standards
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with Front End Engineering to deliver seamless, end-to-end functionality
• Work with Product and Drone Operations to understand system requirements and real-world constraints
• Support real-time data integrations including live video streaming from drone and sensor platforms
• Contribute to code reviews, engineering standards, and a culture of quality across the team
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
We're looking for someone with core experience managing complex, sensitive backend systems:
• Solid backend engineering experience with complex, high-stakes production systems
• Experience spanning local/on-prem and cloud infrastructure
• Proven ability to design and build scalable APIs and data integration pipelines
• Experience with real-time data systems including live video or streaming data sources
• Strong security awareness and experience implementing security and access control protocols
PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
We're looking for someone who understands the environment we operate in - not just the technology. Prior
exposure to any of the following is a strong plus:
• Experience with drone technology, autonomous systems, or real-time telemetry data
• Background in command & control, defense, law enforcement, or public safety platforms
• Familiarity with edge computing or hardware-adjacent backend integrations
• Experience building systems that must operate reliably in mission-critical environments
LEVEL OF OWNERSHIP & DECISION MAKING
A mid-career Back End Software Engineer at DXD owns the design, development, and reliability of core services and systems that power the product. They build and maintain APIs, manage data models and integrations, and ensure systems are scalable, secure, and performant. At this level, they operate with strong ownership of their services, making architectural decisions, improving system efficiency, and partnering closely with front end, product, and operations to deliver end-to-end functionality.