Lead Robotics Engineer

Lead Robotics Engineer – Real-Time Interceptor Systems

Austin, TX | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a venture-backed defense technology team developing robotic systems designed to detect, track, and physically intercept small autonomous aerial threats in real time. These systems operate under strict latency and reliability constraints and are built for immediate deployment, not long-cycle research. This role owns the control layer that converts perception outputs into precise physical motion. You will design and implement control systems that drive high-speed actuation and ensure stability in dynamic environments. The work sits at the intersection of robotics, embedded systems, and real-world performance, with direct impact on deployed hardware.

About Us

We are an early-stage, venture-backed engineering team focused on building practical defense systems for modern operational environments. The team operates with a strong bias toward execution, rapid iteration, and real-world validation. Engineers are expected to work across software and hardware, take ownership of systems, and contribute directly to field-ready capabilities.

Job Duties

• Design and deploy real-time control systems for robotic platforms operating under dynamic conditions
• Develop and tune control algorithms to ensure stability, responsiveness, and accuracy at high speeds
• Convert perception and tracking outputs into reliable actuator commands with minimal latency
• Build embedded software in Rust, C, or C++ for direct hardware control and system coordination
• Integrate actuators, motor controllers, sensors, and compute into fully functional robotic systems
• Implement state estimation pipelines using IMU and vision-based inputs
• Own system performance across simulation, hardware testing, and field deployment
• Develop tools for calibration, logging, diagnostics, and system validation
• Debug issues across software, hardware, and system integration layers
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver complete, production-ready systems

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience building robotic or embedded systems in real-world environments
• Strong understanding of control systems, dynamics, and real-time system behavior
• Experience implementing control algorithms on physical hardware
• Proficiency in Rust, C, or C++ with an emphasis on performance and reliability
• Experience with embedded systems and hardware communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, or UART
• Comfortable working directly with hardware, including debugging and system bring-up
• Track record of delivering systems that operate reliably outside of controlled environments
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance

Preferred Experience

• Experience working on high-speed or safety-critical robotic systems
• Background in aerospace, robotics, or defense-related applications
• Familiarity with ROS2 or similar robotics frameworks
• Experience with edge compute platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson
• Exposure to guidance, navigation, and control systems or HITL environments
• Experience in early-stage or fast-paced engineering teams

Why Join Us

• Direct ownership of critical system components that impact deployed hardware
• Fast iteration cycles with regular real-world testing and validation
• Small, highly technical team with high trust and autonomy
• Opportunity to work on systems where performance and reliability are essential
• Early-stage environment with meaningful ownership and growth potential

Compensation Details

$200,000 - $300,000

#LI-AV