Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer (Robotics / Autonomy / C++)

The Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer designs and develops software that enables autonomous robotic platforms to perceive, reason, and operate with minimal human intervention. Responsibilities span localization, mapping, navigation, perception, system integration, and autonomy architecture. This on-site role is based in Houston, Texas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement autonomous capabilities for high-performance robotic platforms.
• Create algorithms for localization, mapping, SLAM, state estimation, motion planning, and navigation.
• Build perception and multi-sensor fusion solutions for robust environmental understanding.
• Integrate sensing, planning, and control into cohesive autonomy frameworks.
• Design and conduct simulation and real-world testing to validate reliability and performance.
• Develop production-grade software from prototypes through deployment.
• Extend and integrate open-source robotics frameworks with proprietary technologies.
• Collaborate with software, electrical, mechanical, and field engineering teams to deliver fully integrated systems.
• Address technically challenging problems that directly influence safety, operational efficiency, and field deployments.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• Proven experience designing and building robotics software and delivering complex projects.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals, including architecture, testing, debugging, and code quality.
• Experience with localization, mapping, SLAM, and state estimation techniques.
• Experience with path planning, motion planning, perception, and navigation algorithms.
• Experience designing and integrating complex systems.
• Experience with ROS, ROS 2, or similar robotics middleware.
• Advanced proficiency in modern C++ and performance optimization techniques.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and system-level thinking.
• Ability to work independently on open-ended engineering challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies quickly.
• High level of professional integrity and confidentiality.

Technologies

• ROS
• ROS 2
• C++
• Linux

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site position located in Houston, Texas. The role requires close collaboration with software, electrical, mechanical, and field engineering teams and supports rapid iteration, peer review, hardware integration, and hands-on system testing. The position involves a combination of software development, laboratory testing, and direct interaction with robotic platforms in a professional R&D environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Stock option participation
• Company-paid medical, vision, and disability coverage
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Daily team lunches and a stocked kitchen
• Modern 14,000 square-foot R&D facility in Houston
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous robotics systems with real-world impact
• Small, highly technical team environment where individual contributions matter
• Established, well-funded organization with more than a decade of robotics and analytics innovation

Who Will Succeed Here

• Enjoys solving difficult technical problems with no obvious answer
• Thrives in small teams where ownership and accountability are expected
• Prefers building real systems that operate outside of laboratory conditions
• Comfortable balancing research, experimentation, and production-quality engineering
• Communicates effectively and collaborates across disciplines
• Takes initiative and continuously pursues technical growth

Application Question(s)

• How many years of professional software development experience do you have using modern C++?
• Can you reliably commute to Kirby / 610 area?

Preferred Backgrounds

• 5+ years of robotics software development experience
• Experience deploying robotics systems in real-world environments
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
• Experience with embedded systems or real-time software development
• Experience with robotics simulation environments
• Hands-on experience with robotic platforms and field testing
• Experience with computer vision, sensor fusion, or machine learning applications in robotics
• Familiarity with Linux development environments, distributed software architectures and modern software development workflows