Robotics Software Engineer; Founding Engineer

Position: Robotics Software Engineer (Founding Engineer)
Applicants from within EU only. We do not prefer to sponsor visa.

About us  We are a small, capable technology company building scalable air defence systems, to Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS). We are building uncrewed systems to protect our cities and critical assets from proliferation of hostile UxVs. Large scale inspections of Dykes, waterways and disaster management are some of the emergent civilian applications of our swarm systems. We are in the business of knocking hostile armed threats, so 'Impact' has a very real meaning to us.
About you  You have failed a lot of times, you are stubborn. 9-5 is not your thing, you want to drive measurable change and growth. You deliver what you say. You make things happen.

The Role  Join us as a  Robotics Software Founding Engineer  to architect and build the core software capabilities for next-generation aerial swarm systems. You will be responsible for pioneering the cutting-edge autonomy, coordination, and control logic that enables fleets of UAVs to operate collaboratively and intelligently in real-world environments. This is a high-impact, hands-on role at the intersection of robotics, Edge AI, and scalable distributed systems, ideal for a technical leader passionate about realising ambitious ideas into applied technology.

Key Responsibilities    Architect and implement distributed control systems  for autonomous multi-agent swarms, including real-time coordination, perception based self-organization, and robust flight control.
Integrate  existing  technologies  or identify bespoke needs in swarm intelligence—perception, localization, path planning, and collaborative decision-making—for rapid PoC development and future in-house scaling.
Design and manage simulation environments  like  Isaac Sim  to test, validate, and iterate swarm behaviors before hardware deployment.
Integrate software with UAV hardware platforms , ensuring seamless operation across communication, sensing, and actuation layers.
Lead early prototyping, architecture design, and real-time control  for mission-critical demos and field deployments.
Collaborate cross-functionally  with hardware, embedded, and AI systems to align transverse interfaces and requirements.
Drive innovation  by leveraging latest advancements in swarm robotics, AI, and multi-agent systems, translating them into product capabilities.
Document architecture, algorithms, and system designs  for reproducibility and future scaling.
Travel  to test site.

Minimum Qualifications   3+ years of experience in robotics software development, with a strong focus on UAVs or autonomous systems.
Demonstrable proficiency in C++ and Python  for real-time robotics and simulation development.
Hands-on experience with  ROS2 , DDS, or similar robotics middle ware for distributed systems.
Excellent grasp of multi-agent systems, swarm intelligence, or distributed AI algorithms .

Experience with UAV simulation tools  (e.g., Gazebo, Air Sim,  Isaac Sim,  Unreal Engine).
Strong knowledge of real-time operating systems  (e.g., Linux, Zephyr, FreeRTOS) and embedded software integration.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills ; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, early-stage environment.

Preferred Qualifications    Track record of delivering fielded robotics/autonomy systems  or leading technical teams in  early-stage startups .

Experience of building real world solutions is preferred over an advanced degree from a top institution.

Experience with reinforcement learning (RL/MARL) for  autonomous agents .
Background in sensor fusion, flight dynamics, and UAV control architectures.
Familiarity with  secure communication protocols  (MQTT, UDP, DDS, WebRTC) and cloud-based simulation and edge deployment.
Security clearance  or  eligibility  (for defense-related projects).

What We Offer   Opportunity to  lead  the development of the core autonomy stack of a disruptive  emerging swarm technology  company.
A competitive salary between €5.420 to €6.250 per month (excl. 8% allowance) +  1-2% equity  (as SAR).
Leadership in a mission-driven,  high-growth  environment.
Direct impact  on the architecture and deployment of scalable aerial swarm systems.
We start with a fixed 1 year contract, followed by permanent contract with
Salary reviewed based on performance  of 1st year.
We have been at it for a while, building in shadows. Join us if you care about hard, real existential issues.

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