Location: Onsite - Austin, TX
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Title: Senior Robotics Engineer
Position SummaryWe are seeking an experienced
Robotics Software Engineer to join a small, fast-moving team. You will design and implement the physical software control systems - the "body" - of our interceptor platforms. This role is critical, as the accuracy of our control theory dictates the success of every high-speed maneuver in combat. You should be comfortable writing code and working with robotic components (actuators, controllers, compute, sensors, etc.).
Essential Duties- Design and implement high-bandwidth software control loops and advanced control algorithms (e.g., PID control) to ensure vehicle stability and enable high-speed, precise maneuvers under dynamic load.
- Write high-quality, efficient code (primarily Rust, C, or C++) to control and manage actuators, motor drivers (via CAN bus), and sensors on a real-time operating system (RTOS).
- Integrate and fuse sensor data from cameras and IMUs (using methods such as EKF/UKF) on embedded systems (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson) to achieve reliable, real-time state estimation.
- Act as the final link in the autonomy chain, translating tracking output from the computer vision system into reliable motor commands that accurately steer the interceptor.
- Define, build, and maintain Python tools for calibration, logging, and CI/CD, ensuring rapid iteration and deployment.
Requirements- Control theory & embedded systems: Strong grasp of PID control, motor drivers, CAN bus, and RTOS fundamentals. Expertise in designing control and performance for robotics applications.
- Programming/frameworks: Hands-on experience building embedded robotics systems. Proficiency in Rust, C, or C++ for speed and direct hardware interaction.
- Hardware: Experience with embedded platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson and camera pipelines. Skilled in managing scopes, logic/CAN analyzers, and basic rework.
- U.S. Citizenship and the ability to pass a background check
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with ROS2, DDS, or similar middleware
- Model-predictive or adaptive control expertise
- PCB design and EMC awareness
- Safety-critical workflow experience
- Prior defense startup experience
- Security clearance or ability to obtain one
- Passion for building robots or engineering projects as a hobby
Benefits- Meaningful Early Equity: You aren't just an employee; you are a foundational owner. Your contributions directly drive the value of your stake in the company.
- Direct Roadmap Influence: Forget the bureaucracy of big defense. You will have a seat at the table, directly shaping our product and technology trajectory from day one.
- Mission-Critical Work: We don't build for "what if." We build systems the Department of War actively needs to counter immediate, real-world threats.
- The Builder's Playground: Work in a brand-new lab fully optimized for rapid prototyping, equipped with NVIDIA Jetsons, high-end scopes, and 3-D printers.
- 100% Employer-Paid Premiums: We cover 100% of your medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums and cover 50% of healthcare premiums for your dependents.
- Unlimited PTO: We value results, not clock-watching. Take the time you need to stay sharp and recharge.
- Zero Red Tape: You report to the founders. You have the autonomy to make technical decisions that would take months of committee approval at a larger firm.
- Austin-Based Culture: Join an onsite team in Austin, TX, where we prioritize high-bandwidth collaboration and rapid field-testing.
- Relocation Assistance: We want the best talent in the room. If you aren't in Austin yet, we'll help you get here, to make your transition to the Silicon Hills seamless.
About the Interview- Initial Screening with recruiter - 30 min phone call
- 1st Round Virtual Interview - Peer Engineer + either SWE Director or VP (1.5hr via MS Teams)
- 2nd Round Onsite Interview - CTO + Director + VP + peer(s) (~ 6 hours in-person) **will fly out candidates that are not local
- Reference checks & offer
