Software Engineer – Autonomous Systems

Baird Technology is an Australian defence innovation company delivering sovereign AI, autonomy, and robotics systems designed to operate in the world's most demanding environments.

We specialise in building real-time, mission-critical software for tactical robotics, autonomous vehicles, and command and control (C2) systems. Our solutions support allied frontline operations across active conflict zones, with design, development, and deployment capabilities based in Australia, Estonia, and the UAE.

Our engineers are redefining how machine intelligence is deployed in the field, fusing applied AI with ruggedised robotics, embedded inference, and tactical autonomy. Everything we build is sovereign, ITAR-free, and designed with real-world mission utility in mind.

If you're ready to apply your engineering skills to projects that actually deploy, and want to help shape the future of sovereign defence technology, you're in the right place.

We're seeking a Software Engineer (Autonomous Systems & Applied AI) to join our engineering team on-site at our Sunshine Coast facility.

You'll design and implement software that powers real-time autonomy, perception systems, mission planning tools, and secure deployment pipelines for autonomous ground and aerial systems. This is not a research-only role; the code you write will directly control real platforms in real-world environments.

This role sits at the intersection of AI, embedded engineering, and mission-focused software design. You'll work hands-on with hardware, sensor data, and intelligent control systems supporting operator-facing deployments under adversarial and denied conditions.

This is a role for engineers who want to go beyond simulation to build, test, and deploy real systems that matter.

Applied AI & Autonomy

• Design, train, and deploy machine learning models for perception (e.g. object detection, SLAM, classification, sensor fusion).
• Translate tactical mission logic into AI-driven autonomy using rule-based and learned behaviours.
• Implement efficient, low-latency inference pipelines on embedded systems (Jetson Xavier, Orin).

Software Development & Architecture

• Architect and develop scalable, modular software systems for real-time autonomy and control.
• Write clean, testable code in Python, C++, and optionally TypeScript for backend/operator tools.
• Integrate AI models with hardware abstraction layers, navigation systems, and mission planning frameworks to enhance overall system performance.
• Design and maintain robust APIs for communication across autonomy modules, control interfaces, and backend systems.

MLOps & Deployment

• Build automated pipelines for model training, validation, deployment, and rollback in secure environments.
• Deploy containerised AI stacks into air-gapped or field-ready hardware systems.
• Develop diagnostics, monitoring tools, and failover logic for reliable autonomous operation in the field.

Collaboration & Ownership

• Collaborate with autonomy engineers, embedded developers, and defence-focused UI/UX teams.
• Contribute to system architecture, documentation, version control, and product decisions.
• Operate with high trust in a mission-driven, agile development team.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of experience building AI/ML-enabled or robotics software systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and C++ with clean software design practices.
• Experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or OpenCV.
• Understanding of edge/embedded AI (Jetson Xavier, Orin, or similar platforms).
• Familiarity with ROS2, sensor integration, and real-time or mission-critical environments.
• Ability to write efficient, production-ready code and take initiative on complex tasks.

Bonus / Preferred Experience

• Experience in autonomous systems, tactical robotics, aerospace, or defence applications.
• Understanding of geospatial tools, MGRS, or C2 interfaces.
• Familiarity with air-gapped deployment, sovereign software stacks, or secure system delivery.
• Knowledge of STANAG, JAUS, or other defence-grade communication standards.
• Contributions to open-source, academic research, or operational field testing programs.

Work That Matters

Your code won't sit in a demo repository; it will be deployed, supporting sovereign autonomous systems that meet real-world operational needs.

On-Site & Impact-Driven

Be hands-on at our Sunshine Coast facility with direct access to hardware, sensors, and test environments. Build and deploy systems you can touch, not just simulate.

Global Engagement

Collaborate with engineers and mission specialists across Australia, Estonia, and the UAE on next-gen defence technology projects.

Ownership & Growth

Join a low-bureaucracy, high-trust environment where engineers shape architecture, product design, and technical direction.

Competitive Package

Earn a competitive salary, gain technical ownership, and grow into more senior or lead-level roles as our programs scale.

• This role is on-site at our Sunshine Coast facility.
• You must have the legal right to work in Australia.
• Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance are not available for this role due to project and compliance constraints.

If you're ready to engineer high-impact autonomous systems and contribute to sovereign defence innovation:

Email your CV, GitHub, or portfolio to:

Please use the subject: SOFTWARE ENGINEER – APPLIED AI

Or click Apply Now through Seek.

Applicants must be based in, or willing to relocate independently to, the Sunshine Coast area.