Technical Co-Founder, Firmware/Software
Compensation: 10.0% – 20.0%
About Hawkline
Hawkline is building FieldLine, a tethered aerial camera platform designed to close the gap between elite broadcast-grade aerial coverage (SkyCam) and static sideline analytics (Hudl), bringing dynamic, live aerial coverage to high school athletics and mid-size live events at a price point and safety profile that actually fits how most of the market operates.
We're pre-revenue, in the hardware bring-up stage, with core system architecture locked and bench validation underway. The founder is a senior mechanical engineer with 20+ years across defense, aerospace, and robotics, currently carrying mechanical design, electrical/power architecture, firmware, and the business side largely solo. What's missing isn't technical vision or direction. It's a partner to go deep on the software/firmware side specifically, so the system gets the same level of depth there that it already has on the mechanical and electrical side.
The Role
This isn't a job posting in the traditional sense. It's a search for a genuine technical co-founder to take real ownership in the engineering organization as the company scales past a single-founder structure. You'd be joining at the earliest possible stage, with significant influence over technical direction, hiring, and architecture decisions going forward.
What that looks like in practice, early on:
Hands-on firmware and systems work (STM32, PX4/ROS2/uXRCE-DDS) to get Unit 1 through flight test Technical leadership as the team grows: defining how future engineering hires are structured and led Shared ownership of major technical decisions, from architecture to build-vs-buy calls to regulatory/safety strategy A genuine seat at the table on company direction, not just execution of a pre-set roadmap
Who you are
Deep software/firmware and embedded systems background: robotics, aerospace, or UAV platforms preferred, 8+ years preferred Complementary to a mechanical/electrical/systems-strong founder. You're the one who takes firmware, autonomy, and software architecture from "functional" to genuinely robust Prior experience in a high-ownership technical role, whether as a founder, technical lead, or similarly high-autonomy position Comfortable with real, early-stage risk: this is an equity-first opportunity at a company that hasn't closed its seed round yet Someone who wants to build a company, not just a product
What we offer
Substantial equity ownership commensurate with a genuine co-founder role Real influence over both the technical and strategic direction of the company A defensible technical position: multiple patent applications in progress on core system architecture A veteran-founded company with institutional funding groundwork already underway (SBA, SDVOSB eligibility, insurance, structured go-to-market)
To apply / learn more: this one starts as a conversation, not an application. Reach out and let's talk through whether the fit is real on both sides.