Lead Robotics Engineer, Autonomy

About the role

Valinor Dispatch is seeking a Lead Robotics Engineer to own the autonomy stack end to end, from computer vision and flight control to robotic manipulation, behind its ruggedized, field-deployable UxS charging infrastructure for defense applications.

Responsibilities

• Architect and own the full autonomy stack (perception, state estimation, planning, and control) across autonomous aerial platforms and robotic manipulators, from concept through field deployment.
• Lead integration and tuning of flight control software (PX4/ArduPilot-class or in-house controllers), including attitude and position loops for stability and reliable performance in real-world and contested environments.
• Design, develop, and bring up robotic arm systems including kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and manipulation behaviors, with sim-to-real validation and on-hardware tuning.
• Develop computer vision and sensor-fusion pipelines (camera/IMU/LiDAR) for navigation, target detection, alignment, and autonomous docking and retention tasks.
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to ensure seamless integration of sensors, electronics, and electromechanical components into deployable systems.
• Establish standards for simulation, testing, and safe field operation. Drive technical direction through design reviews and architecture decisions.
• Mentor a small team of robotics and software engineers. Lead prototype bring-up, testing, and refinement in lab and field environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's in Robotics, EE/ME, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience building robotics/autonomy systems, with 2+ years in a technical lead or team-lead capacity on mission-critical or fielded systems (defense, aerospace, drones, or similar).
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with solid real-time and embedded systems fundamentals.
• Demonstrated depth across the full stack: perception/CV, state estimation (EKF/factor graphs, VIO/SLAM), motion and path planning, and control (PID through MPC).
• Hands-on experience with flight control stacks (PX4/ArduPilot or equivalent) and tuning controllers on real hardware.
• Experience designing and deploying 6DOF manipulation systems, including kinematics, motion planning (MoveIt/OMPL-class), and grasping.
• Proficiency with ROS/ROS2 and robotics simulation tooling (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or similar), plus hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Track record of shipping autonomous systems to the real world, not just simulation or research, with sound judgment on sim-to-real and field reliability.
• Robot learning (imitation/RL, VLA models), CUDA/edge deployment, and experience operating in rugged or contested environments a plus.

Qualifications

• Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred, but not required.

Skills

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Passion for developing cutting-edge technology solutions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401(k), development stipends, among others.
• Unlimited PTO and two-week company holiday at the end of every calendar year.
• A fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us.