Robotics Software Engineer (Engineer / Senior)

Deterrence Defense, Inc. • Austin, TX

1d

About The Position

The Robotics Software Engineer builds software that enables robots in automated manufacturing cells to interpret their surroundings and respond dynamically rather than simply repeat a taught path. The role owns the robotics software stack from sensor input through motion, integrates robot arms, grippers, sensors, and cameras with PLC and SCADA layers, and supports on-site commissioning. This is an opportunity to help shape the company's robotics software practices while working closely with the manufacturing floor. Hiring is at Engineer and Senior levels, with scope and independence varying by level.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, or a related engineering field, or equivalent experience.
• Engineer level: at least 2 years building robotics software shipped on real hardware; Senior level: at least 5 years.
• Strong ROS 2 experience, including having shipped software on real hardware; a ROS 1-only background is not a fit.
• Working knowledge of the ROS 2 stack, including DDS middleware, QoS settings, lifecycle nodes, launch, and colcon builds.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Working knowledge of kinematics, transforms, motion planning, and trajectory execution.
• Experience integrating sensors and interpreting real-world data.
• Comfort with simulation tools such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or MuJoCo.
• Practical understanding of mechanical and electrical constraints.

Nice To Haves

• Computer vision experience, including camera calibration, pose estimation, 2D and 3D detection, and OpenCV.
• Deep learning for perception, including running inference on edge GPUs.
• Experience with MoveIt 2, ros2_control, or Nav2.
• Experience with industrial robot brands and controllers, such as FANUC, UR, ABB, or KUKA.
• Experience with force control, compliance, or tight-tolerance assembly tasks.
• Experience with functional safety, risk assessment, or safety-rated hardware.
• Experience communicating between a robot stack and PLCs over OPC UA or EtherNet/IP.
• Point cloud processing and 3D scanning experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the robotics software stack for automated cells, from sensor input through motion.
• Write ROS 2 nodes for perception, planning, control, and coordination between machines.
• Integrate robot arms, grippers, sensors, and cameras into working cells alongside PLC and SCADA layers.
• Build simulation environments to validate behavior before testing on real hardware.
• Handle calibration, coordinate frames, and tolerance stack-up.
• Tune cycle time and reliability and maintain performance across shifts and part variation.
• Support on-site commissioning and bring-up, including debugging with real parts.
• At the Senior level, own robotics software for a full cell end to end, make architecture decisions within it, lead integration with controls and vision engineers, and mentor Engineer-level teammates.

Benefits

• Equity in the form of employee stock options.
• Medical benefits.
• Dental benefits.
• Vision benefits.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• An assignment premium may be available for roles involving significant travel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level