Description:
Job description
MUST BE A US CITIZEN (Please do not apply if you are not)
Company Introduction
At BlackSea Technologies, we don't just innovate; we revolutionize.
We are a close-knit team of creative and innovative thinkers specializing in full lifecycle development of cutting-edge maritime technology. At BlackSea, you won't just find a job; you'll find a community of experts who aspire to solve diverse and complex challenges. Be part of a company where your ideas matter, your expertise is valued, and your contributions make a real impact. Together, we are not just sailing; we are charting a course to push boundaries of what's possible.
Position: Software Engineer (Mid-Level) โ Autonomy Platform (Mainstay)
Location: Flexible / Hybrid
Salary Range: $125,000 - $150,000 annually
We do not build prototypes. We build and operate real systems.
BlackSea is building the next generation of maritime autonomy. Our systems deploy, operate, and deliver in the real world: on the water, under constraints, and in environments where failure matters.
From unmanned surface vessels to mission systems and autonomy software, we design, manufacture, and operate mission-ready platforms at scale. Our systems are already deployed, in operations, and shaping how autonomous fleets operate. Ideas do not sit in PowerPoint here. They move from design to build to deployment quickly.
At the core of this is Mainstay, our core platform. It connects sensors, autonomy stacks, payloads, and command and control into a single operational system.
We are hiring engineers to build that foundation.
Most software never leaves the screen. Ours operates in the real world.
What You Will Do
Build the Core Autonomy Platform
ยท Develop production-grade C++ systems running on real vessels
ยท Build distributed services that operate across constrained edge environments
ยท Contribute to core platform architecture used across multiple fleets Define How Systems Connect
Define System Interfaces and Integration
ยท Design APIs and SDKs across MAVLink, UMAA-aligned interfaces, and custom protocols
ยท Integrate autonomy systems, sensors, payloads, and mission software into a unified system
ยท Build interfaces that are stable, extensible, and field-tested
Own Control, Safety, and Command Arbitration
- Design systems that determine control authority across:
- human operators
- onboard autonomy
- external systems
- Implement deterministic arbitration logic under conflicting inputs
- Ensure safe, predictable behavior under degraded or contested conditions
Ship Software That Runs in the Field
- Work across software, networking, and hardware boundaries
- Debug real-world failures: latency, packet loss, hardware faults, and state inconsistencies
- Deploy, observe, and iterate on systems operating in production environments
Use AI to Accelerate Engineering
- Leverage tools such as OpenAI Codex and Claude Code for:
- rapid prototyping
- test generation
- debugging assistance
- Contribute to AI-assisted engineering workflows across the team
What It Takes to Win Here
ยท Write production grade C++ that runs reliably in the field
ยท Think in systems, interfaces, and failure modes
ยท Build APIs that others can integrate with
ยท Move quickly but understand where precision matters
ยท Debug across compute, network, autonomy, and hardware layers
ยท Take ownership of services, interfaces, and outcomes.
Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications
ยท 3 to 7 years of software engineering experience
ยท Strong C++ development experience
ยท Experience with distributed systems, APIs, and networking.
ยท Familiarity with robotics, autonomy, or uncrewed systems
ยท Experience using AI assisted development tools
Preferred
ยท Experience with Protobuf, MAVLink, DDS, or similar protocols
ยท Experience with CAN, serial, and TCP/IP wire protocols
ยท Exposure to UMAA or open architecture standards
ยท Background in autonomy, robotics, or defense systems
ยท Experience deploying and debugging software on physical hardware systems