(Senior) System software engineer

You want to help build Europe's resilience. You want to protect people and critical infrastructure - ultimately saving the lives of thousands. You want to work at the frontier of high-performance autonomous systems.

At CDDS, you'll build the software platform that connects our next-generation interceptor drones with sensors and operators, the nervous system of a counter-drone defense network protecting critical infrastructure and, ultimately, saving lives.

We're looking for a strong all-around software engineer to

• Build the platform that fuses radar, sensors, and third-party data into a single, real-time operational picture
• Integrate our drones with external systems at low latency, under conditions where reliability isn't optional
• Design fleet-management tooling to monitor, configure, and coordinate drones operating in the field

This is real-time, safety-critical software with actual physical stakes. You'll work close to hardware, close to operators, and close to the mission. We move fast and priorities shift as the threat landscape does.

## Tasks

**What you will own**

• Architect the ground-segment platform that fuses radar and multi-sensor data into a real-time operational picture, under latency budgets where milliseconds decide outcomes
• Build the integration layer connecting our drones to third-party sensors and platforms, designing the plugins and data interfaces that make it work reliably in the field
• Design and own fleet-management and provisioning tooling that commands and coordinates a live interceptor fleet
• Profile, tune, and harden system performance so it holds up under real-world load
• Work close to the field: see your code deployed on real hardware, in front of real customers

## Requirements

**REQUIREMENTS**

• MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field from a top-tier university, with an outstanding track record
• 3+ years of professional experience building production software, with deep, demonstrable Python expertise
• Fluency in Linux-based development environments
• Solid grounding in software security fundamentals

**NICE TO HAVE**

• Experience integrating with command and control (C2) systems
• Experience working with radar feeds or other external sensors
• Knowledge of networking protocols and secure communication
• Comfort living in a bash CLI

## Benefits

**WHY CDDS**

• Direct impact on a mission‑critical technology shaping Europe’s security landscape
• Fast‑moving startup environment with high ownership
• Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands‑on team
• Real‑world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations
• Attractive compensation

**DETAILS**

• Location: Hardbrucke (Zurich), on‑site
• Start date: when you are ready
• Environment: Rapidly growing deep‑tech startup, high‑impact mission