Software Engineer, Systems

About the Position

We are seeking a Software Engineer, Systems to join Chariot Defense in San Bruno, CA. This role involves building and maintaining complex software systems across multiple layers, from embedded controls to cloud environments.

About Us

Chariot Defense is a defense technology company that designs and manufactures power products for the U.S. military and its allies. Our mission is to provide sustained electric power in austere and resource-constrained environments, ensuring military units can operate without traditional power sources. Join us in this critical mission.

About the Role

Our product spans the entire software stack, from embedded controls to cloud systems. We're looking for a true generalist who can work across the stack, from low-level embedded work to higher-level services. Your core competency is systems programming (C, C++, Rust), but you should also have experience with services, databases, and cloud deployments.

Key Responsibilities

• Work across the stack: Move fluidly between low-level embedded work and higher-level services.
• Bridge hardware and cloud: Build pipelines to carry telemetry from devices to databases and cloud environments.
• Build the higher layers: Stand up and maintain back-end services, databases, and cloud infrastructure.
• Apply systems programming where it counts: Use low-level expertise where performance and hardware interaction matter.
• Fill the gaps: Own the pieces that fall between specialized roles and keep the system end-to-end coherent.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work across firmware, embedded Linux, manufacturing, and product to connect the layers.

What We’re Looking For

• Top-notch engineering intuition and first principles thinking.
• Ability to independently identify critical information or priority gaps.
• Capability to make sound, comprehensive, and swift decisions with imperfect data.
• Persistent in finding the root cause of problems through data-driven methods.
• Gratified by helping peers succeed and building a robust team culture.

Qualifications

Required:

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years building software across multiple layers of the stack.
• Strong systems programming experience (C/C++/Rust).
• Demonstrated experience moving data from embedded devices to cloud or backend systems.
• A track record of shipping at more than one layer, from hardware-adjacent code to services and databases.

Preferred:

• Deep experience with cloud infrastructure, databases, or backend services at scale.
• Hands-on embedded or hardware background.
• Comfort owning ambiguous, cross-cutting problems end-to-end.
• Background in automotive, aerospace, defense, robotics, or energy.

Role Requirements

• This position is an onsite role based in Chariot Defense’s San Bruno, CA, office.
• Willingness to support 10% travel, domestically and internationally, as well as work extended and weekend hours when necessary.

We Offer

• Compensation: A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $130,000-$180,000 annually.
• Benefits: Compensation packages also include early-stage equity and access to company-sponsored benefit plans.

About the Company

Chariot Defense is committed to providing cutting-edge power products for the U.S. military and its allies. We believe in credible deterrence and winning if deterrence fails, requiring more than just the best drones, sensors, weapons, and electronic warfare systems. Our products enable sustained electric power in austere environments, decoupled from power consumption, making U.S. and allied militaries more lethal and survivable.

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