Mission Software Engineer - Large Vessels - San Diego

About Us: Collaborative autonomy is how self-tasking teams of machines will solve hard human problems, and HavocAI is an unquestioned leader in collaborative autonomy. We set the standard for autonomous surface vessels for a wide range of defense and commercial maritime missions. Success requires us to grow quickly, and we’re looking for teammates who are passionate about solving hard problems, about pushing the envelope, and about preventing conflict and saving lives. Ambition is welcome to apply within. About the Role: As a Mission Software Engineer, you will bring autonomy to life on large-scale maritime platforms — integrating, deploying, and owning mission-critical software directly alongside customers and operators. This is not a purely lab-based role. You will work at the intersection of autonomy systems, maritime standards, vessel hardware, and real-world operations. From shipboard deployments to autonomy stack integration, you will ensure Havoc’s systems operate reliably in demanding, complex maritime environments. If you thrive in dynamic environments, understand the realities of shipboard systems, and want your code tested and proven at sea, this role offers immediate and meaningful impact. Key Responsibilities and Requirements: End-to-End Mission Ownership Own software solutions deployed to large vessel customers Deliver high-reliability systems aligned to [... source excerpt omitted ...] reliable autonomy operation at sea Troubleshooting & Field Support Diagnose and resolve issues in live vessel deployments Coordinate resolution across internal engineering and customer teams Operator & Customer Collaboration Translate real-world vessel operational needs into software features Balance user experience with technical realities of shipboard environments Deployment Readiness Support shipboard and at-sea deployments as mission requirements dictate Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field 3+ years of experience developing software in C++, Python, or Rust within Linux environments Hand [... source excerpt omitted ...] y to navigate complex codebases and distributed systems Passion for mission-critical, real-world software U.S. Citizenship and eligibility for U.S. security clearance Preferred Qualifications Experience integrating autonomy software with vessel navigation, propulsion, or sensor systems Familiarity with NMEA 2000, J1939, or related frameworks Experience with multi-agent maritime autonomous systems Knowledge of distributed shipboard communication architectures Familiarity with military maritime systems and operational tactics Korean or Taiwanese language fluency Experience in safety-critical or real-time embedded systems Why This Role Matters Your software will operate in dyn