Software/Research Engineer for CHAIRE DRONES and UTM
Toulouse, 31400
CDD
01/06/2025- 30/11/2026
Description
The ENAC Dynamic Systems Research Axis has been at the forefront of research on fixed-wing and rotary-wing outdoor flights since 2005, with a focus on its open-source autopilot system, Paparazzi (wiki.paparazziuav.org). Our expertise spans aerodynamics, control, guidance, decision-making, and multidisciplinary optimization of flying vehicles for various missions. These capabilities have been demonstrated in several national and international projects, including VOLTIGE, SKYSCANNER, BACCHUS, MISTRALE, NEPHELAE, PANACHE, and most recently, FIREFLIES.
Our Drones & UTM Research Chair, sponsored by Airbus and Sopra Steria, addresses the critical challenge of integrating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) safely into controlled and uncontrolled airspace. We believe that a comprehensive understanding of UAS design, control, guidance, and intelligence is essential for tackling these challenges from a research perspective.
At ENAC, we are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to bring our ideas to life:
Indoor Flight Arena: A 10m x 10m x 10m space with an OptiTrack motion capture system.
Outdoor Flight Facility: Located at the Muret radio-controlled model aircraft field, south of Toulouse, France.
Open-Source Autopilot System: Full access to Paparazzi, developed in-house.
Expertise in UAS design, control, and guidance.
These resources allow us to transform concepts into realistic demonstrations in both controlled and outdoor environments. The Drones & UTM group also leverages ENAC’s expertise in air traffic management and works closely with the ACHIL platform, which includes advanced UTM simulation capabilities.
If you are passionate about artificial intelligence in aviation, multi-agent systems, trajectory optimization, agile control, robotics, computer vision, new guidance and mitigation methods, autonomy, learning-based solutions, or any other topics related to advancing UAS technology, you will find exciting opportunities within our group!
Why We’re Hiring
With the growing number of research projects, we are seeking a Software Engineer to enhance the group’s software development capabilities. The engineer will work closely with researchers to improve the quality and architecture of both the front-end and back-end of our software solutions while participating into the research topic of interest itself.
Mission
Responsibilities of the Software Engineer
Collaborate with researchers to design, develop, and maintain software solutions for UAS and UTM systems.
Improve the architecture, scalability, and reliability of both front-end and back-end components of existing software.
Optimize and document the Paparazzi autopilot system and related tools.
Develop visualization and simulation tools for UAS and UTM research.
Ensure the usability and maintainability of software systems through best practices in software engineering.
Debug and troubleshoot technical issues in software development and UAS operations.
Contribute to integrating AI and machine learning techniques into UAS-related software systems.
Profil
Required Qualities and Qualifications
Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field of engineering.
Programming Expertise: Proficiency in Python, C/C++, and web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript).
Front-End Skills: Experience with frameworks like React is a plus.
Back-End Skills: Proficiency in back-end frameworks such as Flask, or Node.js.
Software Development Practices: Familiarity with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and Agile development practices.
Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to troubleshoot and debug complex systems efficiently.
Interest in Research: A genuine interest in UAS, robotics, or aviation technology is preferred.
Teamwork: Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
Bonus Skills: Experience with simulation tools, machine learning, or computer vision frameworks is an advantage.
Application Process:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this recruitment portal.
The application should include a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, a list of publications/projects (if there are any…), and the name and contact information of at least one reference. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further interview and discussion.
Contract : CDD 18 months