Orqa Is Hiring: Croatian Drone Maker Opens Nearly 30 Roles
Osijek-based Orqa is scaling fast, with close to 30 open positions spanning hardware, embedded software, and production as the FPV and tactical drone maker grows its Croatian workforce.
Orqa, the Osijek-based FPV and tactical drone manufacturer, is hiring across nearly every part of its operation, with close to 30 open positions listed on its careers page as the company scales production to meet rising demand from defense, enterprise, and industrial customers.
Founded in late 2018, Orqa has grown from a small hardware consulting outfit into one of Europe's leading drone technology companies, with more than 100,000 units delivered in 2024 alone. Workforce data shows the company's headcount has grown 98 percent since 2023, reaching 451 employees worldwide as of March 2026, with Croatia accounting for over 90 percent of that workforce.
From Kickstarter to NATO Supply Chains
Orqa was founded by Srđan Kovačević, Ivan Jelušić, and Vlatko Matijević, who started out building FPV goggles for the racing drone community. Their Kickstarter campaign hit its funding target within two minutes of launch and reached 200 percent of its goal within five. Kovačević, an Oxford-educated former capital markets executive, has led the company as CEO since its founding.
That climb from hobbyist gear to battlefield systems has been fast. Orqa's drones have been ordered by the Croatian Army and supplied to Ukraine's armed forces, and the company recently signed a cooperation agreement with Qatar's Barzan Holdings to explore local production in the Gulf. The current hiring wave is a direct extension of that growth, as engineering and production teams expand to keep pace with defense and enterprise demand.
Where the Roles Are
The current openings are concentrated in hardware and embedded engineering. Orqa is looking for a Senior Embedded Software Developer, a Linux Kernel Engineer, and an Embedded Android/AOSP Developer, alongside RF-focused roles including an RF Antenna Engineer and an Embedded Software Engineer for RF specialty work.
On the hardware side, the company is recruiting a PCB Hardware Engineer, a Senior CAD Engineer, a Senior CAM Engineer, and a Hardware Test and DFT Engineer to support its in-house manufacturing lines. Quality and production roles round out the list, including a Junior/Mid Quality Engineer, a Quality Control Technician for electric motor production, and multiple production technician positions in Osijek.
Orqa is also hiring on the commercial and product side, with openings for a Go-to-Market Strategy Analyst, an Integrated Business Planning Lead, and a Product Owner to shape its Developer Toolkit.
A Vertically Integrated Bet
Orqa's hiring push reflects its vertically integrated production model, covering design, electronics, optics, firmware, and manufacturing under one roof. That structure requires depth across disciplines rather than a single specialization, which explains why the current openings span camera vision (electro-optical and infrared imaging), electric motor and powertrain engineering, and PLM and engineering data management in parallel.
Interested candidates can browse all open roles and apply directly through Orqa's careers page.
