Field Integration & QA Engineer (Hardware / SaaS)

PHYSICAL AI / AUTONOMY / REAL-WORLD OPERATIONS

Field Integration & QA Engineer (Hardware / SaaS)

Location: Austin, TX

ABOUT CENTINUS

Centinus builds physical AI and autonomous systems for real-world operations where speed, reliability, and operational effectiveness matter.

Our technology brings AI into the physical world, helping organizations understand complex activity, make faster decisions, and operate intelligent systems in demanding environments. We build for performance beyond the lab - where systems must be dependable, scalable, and ready to support meaningful action in the real world.

We are assembling a small, senior engineering team to solve difficult problems with lasting impact. This is an opportunity to shape the product, the engineering foundation, and the culture of an ambitious early-stage company.

THE ROLE

We develop a unified Command & Control (C2) SaaS platform that coordinates autonomous uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and robotic platforms across diverse manufacturers, form factors (multirotor, fixed-wing, tethered, hybrid), and power architectures (lithium, hydrogen). Our platform incorporates AI/ML mission intelligence and integrates directly with advanced sensor suites, computer vision pipelines, and payload telemetry.

As our Field Integration & QA Engineer, you will bridge the gap between our physical hardware partners and our remote software development team. You will set up and maintain a home hardware test bench, travel to partner sites for live equipment bring-up, and conduct systematic testing to validate our SaaS platform, AI models/features, and real-time sensor streams.

If you have a strong foundation in hardware/software troubleshooting, embedded systems, or IoT/robotics integration, we will support your ramp-up on specific aviation standards and flight operations.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• System & Integration QA: Plan and execute bench tests, field runs, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) verifications to validate new C2 SaaS releases, automated workflows, and AI/ML features.

• Hardware Bring-Up & Remote Enablement: Set up and manage local staging test benches (bench power, companion computers, communication links, sensors, network switches) so remote software engineers can securely access, debug, and flash builds on live devices.

• New Platform & Sensor Integration: Work with third-party hardware OEMs and sensor vendors to wire up, configure, and verify data pipelines, control interfaces, and edge processing.

• Field Deployments & Partner Support: Travel to customer sites, test facilities, and partner labs to lead on-site hardware integration, system bring-ups, and product trials.

• Diagnostics & Bug Reporting: Monitor network traffic, capture system telemetry/logs, isolate hardware-versus-software regressions, and deliver clear, actionable diagnostic traces to remote developers.

• Tooling & Automation: Write basic scripts (Python, Bash) to automate test routines, flash firmware, verify data packet integrity, and pull log archives.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Hardware/Software Troubleshooting: Proven hands-on experience integrating, configuring, and debugging physical hardware combined with software systems (e.g., IoT devices, robotics, automotive, embedded systems, or industrial automation).

• Linux & Networking Fundamentals: Comfortable with Linux/Unix command-line tools, SSH, basic IP networking (subnets, routing, VPN setups for remote access), and standard communication interfaces (Ethernet, Serial/UART, USB, CAN).

• QA & Verification Discipline: Strong methodical testing mindset—able to write structured test procedures, isolate intermittent electrical or software faults, and document findings clearly.

• Basic Scripting: Ability to write lightweight scripts (Python, Bash) for automated testing, log extraction, or basic device management.

• Willingness to Learn Aviation Operations: Must be willing to learn drone operations and obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate upon hire (training/licensing support provided).

• Travel Flexibility & Autonomy: Comfortable managing gear kits, shipping logistics, and traveling independently to partner facilities and test sites across the US.

• Eligibility: US Citizenship or US Permanent Resident (Green Card) required due to aerospace compliance and partner facility access requirements.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAVE:

• Robotics / UAS Background: Experience operating, building, or maintaining uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), RC aircraft, or ground robotics.

• Aviation Certification: Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

• Communication Protocols: Familiarity with robotics/drone communication protocols (MAVLink, ROS/ROS2).

• Video & Sensors: Experience with video streaming protocols (RTSP, WebRTC) and sensor payload integration (thermal, LiDAR, optical cameras).

WHAT WE VALUE We value exceptional ability, sound judgment, intellectual honesty, diverse perspectives, and people who take ownership of difficult problems.

 

BENEFITS & EQUITY

• Company equity

• Access to Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families

 

READY TO BUILD WHAT'S NEXT?

If you're excited by complex technical challenges, real ownership, and the opportunity to shape how autonomous systems behave, adapt, and operate in the real world, we'd like to hear from you. Apply to join Centinus!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Centinus is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.