What the role involves
Job Summary
You’ll be part of the development of the HyLighter, our next-generation airship designed for aerial inspections and environmental monitoring.
This position sits at the intersection of electronics, embedded programming, and hardware integration.
You will work on drone open-source software such as PX4 and QGroundControl (QGC), contributing to both the flight systems onboard the HyLighter and the ground station that supports operations.
You’ll help shape the development strategy for our embedded systems in the air and on the ground and take part in enhancing our testing and operational infrastructure. That includes setting up and programming microcontroller-based systems for bench tests, operational trailers, and custom manufacturing machines.
Missions
Under the guidance of the CTO, you will
Develop and integrate new embedded systems into the HyLighter platform
Enhance the robustness and reliability of existing avionics and electronic systems
Participate in system architecture design and technical studies for future features
Work at the crossroads of software and hardware development
Multiple payload implementation and data capture automation
Learn from and contribute to the engineering decisions behind our new developments: steerable drones, advanced testing facilities, and new onboard systems
Personal Note from Josef (CTO)
This is a truly cross-functional position that touches everything related to hardware development.
It will have a strong impact on HyLight’s evolution and reliability.
We’re looking for someone ready to take ownership early, drive improvements, and help push the HyLighter toward new performance milestones. If you love spending your days programming microcontrollers, improving electronics, designing PCBs, and exploring diverse technical challenges this is your spot.
The team is still small (18 people), which means your contribution will matter immediately and visibly.
Profile Sought
Education
Engineering degree or equivalent specialization in Embedded Systems, Electronics, or Mechatronics.
The following skills are not all mandatory, if you don’t match everything but are motivated to grow, we want to meet you.
We see this role as a potential future technical leadership position at HyLight.
Technical Skills
Microcontrollers: ESP32, Atmega328, Pixhawk , STM32 (bonus)
Communication Protocols: UART, CAN, I2C, PWM, SPI, RS485
Other boards: Raspberry Pi or equivalent SBCs
Programming Languages: C/C++, Python
Electronics: PCB design, power electronics, system sizing, sensor integration
Tools & Software: PX4, QGroundControl, Github , and hardware debugging tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc.)
Soft Skills
Autonomous and hands-on in project execution
Strong interest in UAVs, drones, or aerial robotics
Curious, eager to learn, and passionate about building and experimenting
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team
Languages: English & French (preferably)
Bonus Qualities
Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
Proactive in proposing innovative hardware/software solutions
Capable of estimating progress, meeting timelines, and anticipating challenges
Prior personal or academic projects in robotics or UAVs (feel free to link them in your CV!)
What We Offer
Annual compensation: €50,000 - €70,000 (based on experience)
Real responsibility and direct impact on cutting-edge autonomous flight technology
Mentorship with the Tech and Regulatory teams
Potential to become a shareholder in HyLight
100% reimbursement of public transport pass (Navigo) or €800/year for sustainable commuting
Bike provided for commuting
Free lunch
Bi-annual offsite trips with the whole team
Excellent work environment: international team , team events, beautiful offices on a former airbase
Why You Should Join
Founder Mentality : We value extreme ownership and want people who think like founders—fast decision makers, natural problem solvers,
About HyLight
HyLight builds and operates autonomous airships for long range monitoring. We focus on detecting methane leaks on pipelines and defects on power lines. Our innovation, the HyLighter, is a crossover between drone and airship technology. Like a drone, it is easily controllable and transportable. And, like an airship, it is extremely energy-efficient, enabling it to fly for up to 10 hours at slow speed (22mph) for optimal data collection which represents a range of 220miles. Today, energy infrastructure operators struggle with conducting inspections that are simultaneously: massive and precise. HyLight offers a solution to precisely detect issues on the infrastructure at an industrial scale, and all of this without emitting GHGs. We are 3 co-founders experienced in hardware and energy companies with Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Business from the best Engineering and Business School in France. We have developed 5 different flying aircrafts and signed 5 pilots programs with major energy infrastructure operators. We also have LOIs worth over $3.5M.
Full HyLight profile