Robotics Engineer, Senior

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Robotics Engineer to join a small, fast-moving team. You will design and implement the physical 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 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.

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

• 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.
• 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.

Interview Process

• Phone call with recruiter (30 min)
• Live coding challenge with Director of Engineering (45 min via MS Teams)
• Paid take-home consulting agreement ($500, ~8 hours)
• Review take-home results with Director of Engineering (45 min via MS Teams)
• Virtual interview with SWE co-founders (45 min via MS Teams)