Lead C++ Software Engineer - Physical AI

About Applied Intuition

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo.

About The Role

We're looking for talented backend C++ engineers at all levels, who are ready to work on some of the hardest autonomy challenges in physical AI today. You'll be a core contributor to Axion and Acuity, our flagship defense products, building the foundational systems that power multi-domain autonomous operations. This is not a maintenance role. You'll architect, implement, and own backend infrastructure that runs at the edge of what's technically possible, in environments where the stakes are real. The A2 team sits at the intersection of Applied's commercial technology velocity and defense-grade requirements, giving you access to a rapidly evolving product suite and real world impact. You'll work in small, high-ownership teams where your code ships, your decisions matter, and your impact on national security is direct.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement high-performance backend systems in C++ for Axion and Acuity, Applied's core defense autonomy products
• Tackle hard autonomy challenges across multi-domain environments, from unmanned ground and aerial platforms to broader joint-force integration scenarios
• Build scalable, reliable infrastructure that enables autonomous systems to operate in contested and degraded conditions
• Partner closely with autonomy researchers, product teams, and defense customers to translate mission requirements into robust software solutions
• Own end-to-end execution of high-stakes engineering workstreams; architecture through deployment
• Interface with DOD programs and defense customers to ensure solutions meet real-world operational demands

Requirements

• 6+ years professional software engineering experience, with strong C++ at the core
• Backend engineering fundamentals: systems programming, concurrency, performance optimization, and distributed systems
• Genuine interest in autonomy, robotics, or physical AI; you want to understand how your code connects to machines operating in the real world
• Exposure to or curiosity about multi-domain defense systems - you don't need a defense pedigree, but you're excited to develop one
• Strong CS/CE/EE (or similar) foundation; you think rigorously about correctness and performance
• Python proficiency for tooling, scripting, and integration work
• Thrives in ambiguity & comfortable driving clarity and progress in fast-moving, high-stakes environments
• Excellent communication skills; you can explain hard technical tradeoffs to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders

Qualifications

• Security Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen, must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance
• Note: Benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment
• Compensation Range: $150K - $200K USD annually

Benefits

• Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage
• 401k retirement benefits with employer match
• Learning and wellness stipends
• Paid time off