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Sphere Defense

European counter-UAS interceptor developer

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Systems

Full-Time
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's, Master's
Brussels, Belgium
In Person
Software EngineeringEmbedded Engineering

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or equivalent.
  • At least four years of experience in a relevant role, with increasing levels of ownership.
  • Demonstrated experience owning complex systems based on microcontrollers and microprocessors running bare-metal systems and real-time operating systems.
  • Proficiency in C, C++, and Python.
  • Experience with bare-metal and real-time operating system firmware systems.
  • Experience developing device drivers and bringing up boards, including board support package creation.
  • Experience using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes and multimeters for board bring-up and debugging.
  • Experience implementing and maintaining complex, multi-stage software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop continuous integration and continuous delivery processes.
  • Experience integrating sensors such as inertial measurement units and network devices.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills in written and spoken English.
  • Ability to work independently in a high-ambiguity environment and take on new challenges.
  • Candidates must have the right to work in Belgium; visa sponsorship is not available.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop autonomous countermeasures to protect allied countries from aerial threats.
  • Design, develop, and test high-performance, reliable firmware systems encompassing sensing, processing, and actuation with low latency.
  • Work with the hardware team to bring up boards and systems and ensure functional and performance requirements are met.
  • Troubleshoot and debug problems and address issues as they arise.
  • Establish continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines, focusing on quality assurance.
  • Mentor and support team members when needed.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with autonomous systems.
  • Experience with Linux and Yocto-based embedded systems.
  • Experience with the PX4 Flight Controller or other flight controllers.
  • Proficiency in Rust.
  • Experience with ST and NXP chipsets.
  • Experience with server communication protocols such as REST and gRPC.
  • Experience integrating mobile apps using Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi.
  • French or Dutch language skills.

About the company

Sphere Defense develops autonomous counter-UAS systems to defend airspace from drones. Its flagship product is a jet-powered interceptor guided by AI, designed for mass production with a European-made supply chain using local components. The system can autonomously detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones to protect critical infrastructure and security interests. The company emphasizes European sovereignty, opting for a jet engine over electric motors, and aims to scale production in Europe to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

City of Brussels, Belgium

Founded

N/A

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Ukraine's drone war keeps European militaries buying counter-UAS systems in 2026.
  • Axon's February 2026 minority investment gives Sphere Defense capital and defense-industry credibility.
  • Brussels recruiting in April 2026 shows aggressive team-building toward prototype and production readiness.

What critics are saying

  • Sphere Defense remains pre-revenue in September 2026, with no disclosed orders or fielded contracts.
  • Brussels hiring ads in April 2026 signal dependence on rapid technical execution before customer validation.
  • Diehl, AirShields, and other C-UAS rivals compress margins and can outspend Sphere Defense.

What makes Sphere Defense unique

  • Sphere Defense launched in Brussels in February 2026 with former Sky-Hero executives.
  • It builds jet-powered, AI-guided interceptor drones using European manufacturing and components.
  • BEDEX 2026 showcased a man-portable launch base for sovereign counter-UAS deployments.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Meal Benefits
  • Mobility Budget
  • Stock Options
  • Paid Holidays