Principal, Robotics Software Engineer
About The Position
Aurelius Systems is a VC-backed defense tech startup focused on building autonomous, edge-deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems). The company aims to develop the first cost-effective, reliable, and robust laser weapon system. The role of Principal, Robotics Software Engineer is critical for leading the architecture across the robotics stack, including perception, control, autonomy, and the supporting infrastructure. This position requires a senior individual contributor with experience scaling research-oriented software into deployable products, working directly with the CTO to guide the development from prototype to fielded software.
Requirements
- 10+ years of robotics software engineering with real shipped systems
- Senior IC track record at robotics companies that shipped to customers or operators
- Deep ROS2 experience and the judgment to know when not to use it
- Track record building and operating CI/CD for robotics or hardware-in-the-loop
- Experience taking software through formal release, packaging, and deployment to end users
- Experience taking software from 'works on the dev's machine' to 'works in the field for a customer'
- Understanding the difference between a prototype that demos and a release that survives
- BS, MS, or PhD in CS, Robotics, EE, or equivalent (track record matters more than degree)
- Extreme bias for action; shipping working code on real hardware
- Debugging from first principles
- Comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration in a startup environment
- Clear communicator across software, hardware, and operator-facing surfaces
- Self-directed; identifying and executing necessary tasks without explicit instruction
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or certain protected classes of asylees and refugees)
Nice To Haves
- Real-time systems experience
- Sensor fusion or perception background
- Defense or safety-critical software release experience
- Built CI/CD for robotics or hardware-in-the-loop systems before
Responsibilities
- Architecture and technical direction for the robotics software stack
- Formal release process, packaging, and deployment hygiene for fielded systems
- CI/CD infrastructure and software organization scaling alongside QA
- Mentorship of the robotics SWE team and setting the bar for code quality
- Cross-functional alignment across perception, controls, embedded, and EE
- Owning the path from prototype code to fielded software in customer hands
Benefits
- Competitive salary and equity
- United Health Care medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Flexible 18 days PTO plus 5 sick days
- Travel to field test events and range days
- Covered daily lunches and office snacks and drinks
- E-bike and scooter stipend up to $500
- Direct access to leadership and real ownership over your work
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
