Software Engineer

The Stakes are Real

Every day, somewhere in the world, our systems are lining up on the battlefield. Our customers aren't just using a product; they’re relying on our technology to execute perfectly, every single time.

At Hargrave Technologies, we don’t just build electronics; we build the high-power foundation for the leading companies in global defence. If a drone has a critical mission that can’t fail, it most likely has our Aussie-built systems under the hood.

We solve the hard problems that others avoid, and we’re looking for a Software Engineer who thrives when the margin for error is zero.

This role will own the software that runs our manufacturing end-of-line (EOL) testing; the systems that decide, at volume, whether a unit is truly flight-ready. It’s a rewarding mix of aerospace-level quality and high-volume manufacturing.

The Role

This isn’t a "buried in spreadsheets" sort of testing role. you’ll be responsible for delivering fast, repeatable pass/fail decisions and the traceability that aerospace demands.

You will work closely with electronics, firmware, and production teams to:

• Build EOL Test Software: Writing and maintaining robust test applications that control instruments, fixtures, and devices under test.

• Ship for High-Volume Throughput: Designing tests that are deterministic, operator-friendly, and quick-without compromising quality.

• Integrate Manufacturing Systems: Interfacing with REST APIs and internal tools to record results, drive workflows, and improve traceability.

• Debug the Real World: Finding root causes across software, hardware, and wiring when stations fail-then hardening the system so it doesn’t happen again.

• Work Independently: Taking clean sheet goals and turning them into solid, production-ready software.

Who You Are

You care about engineering quality and you enjoy making complex systems measurable, testable, and repeatable.

• You have industry experience that demonstrates practical engineering judgment.

• You are strong in Python, including:

  • Async programming with AnyIO/Asyncio

  • Object-oriented design

  • Type annotations

  • Working on large, multi-module codebases

  • Integrating with internal services via serial/communication interfaces and REST APIs

• You have strong debugging skills.

• You learn quickly and work well with minimal supervision.

What’s In It For You?

• Real Impact, Real Fast: Your work directly supports global allies and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in flight. We work with the best of the best in the US and Europe to play our part in global security. We’re growing fast because people like what we’re building.

• True Autonomy: No micromanagement. You are trusted to manage your work in a way that suits your life. We do what we can to support flexible working wherever possible, but this is not a hybrid or remote role.

• Comprehensive Support: We take care of our people. You’ll have access to additional paid parental leave, and a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes safety, medical and mental health support for you and your family.

• A Collaborative, Stable Company: No bureaucracy and no unnecessary layers. No investors pulling the plug. No mass AI layoffs. Just a great group of people working hard to do something important.

Nice to Have

We care most about what you’ve built, but if you have any of the below, we’d love to hear about it:

• Front-end web development and UI/UX design experience

• Embedded systems experience, ideally STM32

• Internal applications experience, ideally Python, C/C++ and C#

• Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN and UART

• Experience with high-volume manufacturing environments

How to Apply

We are seeking a collaborator, not just a set of bullet points on a resume. Show us the work you are proud of, and how you think about testing and reliability in real engineering systems. If this role sounds like you, reach out, even if you don’t have all of the requirements.

At Hargrave, we care about what you’ve built and who you are. Let's build the future of drones together.

We’re a people-first company. Every application will be reviewed by a real person, and each application will get a response.

Employment is subject to a National Police Check and pre-employment screening in accordance with AS 4811:2022, as well as adherence to internal security and confidentiality requirements.