Senior Software Engineer - Autonomy Interface
At a glance
Senior Software Engineering role at Overland AI. Seattle · full-time · $180,000–$240,000 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build and maintain backend services that connect autonomous ground vehicles with their command-and-control interface
- Develop FastAPI endpoints, keeping them reliable, fast and maintainable
- Run WebRTC services that carry live video and data between systems
- Coordinate concurrent workloads and real-time data, integrating messaging protocols and middleware
- Work with frontend and autonomy engineers on interfaces, then refine features through field testing
What you bring
- A computer science, engineering or related degree plus five years of relevant work, or seven years of professional experience
- Production experience building and running Python backend systems
- Strong FastAPI and Python asyncio skills, plus hands-on work with WebRTC streaming systems
Who this fits
This senior role suits a backend engineer comfortable with concurrent systems, real-time communications and integration with frontend and autonomy teams. Seattle is the preferred location. Field exercises and testing are part of the work. Employment depends on being able to comply with U.S. export control laws.
From the employer
About Overland AI
Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Overland AI is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages over a decade of advanced research in robotics and machine learning, as well as a field-test forward ethos, to deliver combined capabilities for unit commanders. Our OverDrive autonomy stack enables ground vehicles to navigate and operate off-road in any terrain without GPS or direct operator control. Our intuitive OverWatch C2 interface provides commanders with precise coordination capabilities essential for mission success.
Overland AI has secured funding from prominent defense tech investors including 8VC and Point 72, and built trusted partnerships with DARPA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command. Backed by eight-figure contracts across the Department of Defense, we are strengthening national security by iterating closely with end users engaged in tactical operations.
Role Summary
We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer – Autonomy Interface to design and implement the backend systems supporting a mission-critical command-and-control (C2) platform for autonomous ground vehicles. This role focuses on building robust, asynchronous services which act as the interface between our ground autonomy software and C2 systems. The ideal candidate has deep experience with modern Python backend development, is comfortable with performance-sensitive and concurrent systems, and enjoys working at the intersection of web technologies, real-time communications, and physical AI.
What You'll Do
- Design, implement, and maintain backend services that support a command-and- control (C2) interface for autonomous ground vehicles.
- Build and extend APIs using FastAPI, with a strong emphasis on correctness, performance, and maintainability.
- Develop and operate WebRTC-based services for real-time video and data streaming.
- Build asynchronous systems to coordinate real-time data flows and concurrent workloads.
- Integrate backend services with a variety of communication protocols and middleware, including event-driven and real-time messaging systems.
- Collaborate closely with frontend engineers and autonomy engineers to define clean interfaces and deliver end-to-end features.
- Participate in field exercises and testing to observe system behavior in real-world operational environments and iterate accordingly.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related discipline and 5+ years of relevant experience; OR 7+ years of relevant professional experience
- Experience building and operating production backend systems using Python.
Desired Experience & Qualifications
- MS degree or PhD preferred.
- Deep experience with FastAPI; experience with other Python-based backend frameworks is a plus
- Strong understanding of asyncio and asynchronous programming patterns in Python
- Hand-on experience building or operating WebRTC-based systems, including signaling and real-time media/data pipelines
- Experience with real-time or messaging systems; prior experience with MQTT is strong preferred.
- Experience with or interest in PyTAK and/or ROS 2 is highly beneficial.
- Some experience with TypeScript or frontend-backend integration is a plus.
Location:
The preferred location for this position is Seattle, WA.
Compensation And Benefits
Pay Range: $180,0000 - $240,000 annually
Actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Overland AI believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day.
Benefits Include:
- Equity compensation
- Best-in-class healthcare, dental and vision plans.
- Flexible PTO
- 401k with company match
- Parental leave
Overland AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
This position may involve access to export-controlled technology. Employment is contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control laws.
Overland AI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process. Please contact [peopleops@overland.ai] to request an accommodation.
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