Role Description
We're looking for a backend engineer to build the APIs and integrations that connect our robotic systems to the command and control (C2) platforms operators rely on. You'll own the services that translate, route, and sync data between our platform and external C2 systems. Your work will allow command operators of Overland AI’s autonomous vehicles to plan and execute missions with full situational awareness.
You'll mostly work in modern asynchronous Python. You'll design high-throughput, low-latency services that handle many concurrent connections, message streams, and external APIs. You'll work closely with the robotics, autonomy, and frontend teams, and directly with customers and partners, to make our systems interoperable in the field.
What you'll do:
- Design, build, and maintain C2 interface services that ingest, transform, and publish real-time telemetry, tracks, and tasking messages.
- Develop and maintain REST and streaming APIs with FastAPI for internal and external consumers.
- Map internal data models to external schemas and protocols, handling versioning, validation, and edge cases.
- Make integrations hold up under degraded networks, reconnects, malformed input, and high message rates.
- Build test harnesses and simulators to check integrations without live C2 infrastructure.
- Help with field tests, customer demos, and integration events.
Minimum Qualifications
- 4+ years of professional experience building backend systems.
- Expert-level Python programming experience, including asyncio and typing.
- Experience building production APIs with FastAPI.
- Experience integrating with TAK systems (and working directly with Cursor on Target) and other C2 systems.
- Proficiency in at least one systems programming language: C++, Go, or Rust.
- Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/UDP, multicast, TLS) and message serialization formats (e.g., XML, Protobuf, JSON).
- A BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Desired Experience & Qualifications
- Experience with message brokers or pub/sub systems (e.g., NATS, MQTT, Kafka, ZeroMQ).
- Experience with ATAK plugin development
- Experience integrating with Anduril Lattice or other C2 systems
- Experience with ROS or ROS2.
- Experience deploying services with Docker and Kubernetes, including on edge hardware.
Location:
The preferred location for this role is Seattle, WA
Compensation And Benefits
Pay Range:
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
- Monthly wellness stipend
- One-time workplace & productivity reimbursement
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.