Robotics Software Engineer - Contractor

Automated Architecture (AUAR); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Automated Architecture (AUAR) is seeking a robotics software engineer for a 3‑month contract to advance the ROS 2 Jazzy stack powering our MicroFactory systems. You will join a mixed team of robotics software engineers, controls engineers and product engineers at our London site, with on‑site work expected and hybrid/remote options considered.

The role requires production‑level software experience, strong Python and C++, Linux proficiency, and Docker.

Qualifications

• Shipping and maintaining production software, with testing, CI and debugging.
• Strong Python software engineering skills; C++ is a plus.
• Working experience with ROS 2: nodes, topics, services, actions, parameters, launch.
• Proficient on Linux, shells, systemd, networking and containers.
• Able to work in a distributed team and hit the ground running.
• Experience contributing within a large existing codebase.
• Docker-based development and deployment.
• Behaviour trees or similar patterns for orchestration of long‑running tasks.
• Software that talks to physical hardware over a network or fieldbus.

Responsibilities

• Develop features across the full robotics stack in ROS 2 Jazzy.
• Design modular, testable subsystems for team-wide integration.
• Diagnose system issues using field data, simulations and hardware testing.
• Replicate bugs and test features directly on microfactory hardware.
• Engineer robust solutions for complex real-world edge cases.
• Conduct code and design reviews to maintain quality and maintainability.
• Contribute to internal engineering processes and developer tooling.

Skills

Python

C++

ROS 2

Linux

Docker

Tools

Docker

Job description

Hybrid / remote. 3 month contract. Immediate start.

About Us

AUAR is a physical AI and robotics company, with construction as its vertical. We automate construction, starting with homes. While technology has transformed almost every other sector, homes are still built largely by hand, in slow, expensive and fragmented processes. We're changing that by building the technology layer for a new way of making homes: faster, more affordable, and with less waste.

AUAR combines software, robotics and physical AI to turn building designs into physical homes. Our software platform, MasterBuilder, takes a design and translates it into the instructions needed to manufacture the timber structure of a home. Our robotic MicroFactory then deploys directly on a construction site and produces building components on demand: walls, floors and roofs, ready for assembly.

We're shipping our first commercial MicroFactories this year. The systems we build now will decide how homes are manufactured at scale. We're looking for people who want to work on real-world AI and robotics, move fast, take ownership, and see their work become part of real homes, for real people.

About the Role

We’re looking for a robotics software engineer to work with us for 3 months. You'll work across a ROS 2 Jazzy codebase that drives our robotic MicroFactories. We're looking for a strong software engineer with robotics exposure, with immediate availability. You’ll work closely with out team of robotics software developers, robotics developers, controls engineers and product engineers. We’re building an ambitious, state of the art, modern robotics stack integrating ABB industrial robots, Festo controllers and NVIDIA Jetson edge compute. You’ll be part of a fast moving team and see your work deployed directly on the MicroFactory. We’re a rapidly growing team of around 30 engineers and operators, operating from a 10,000 sqft research and manufacturing facility in Black Horse Road, London E17 - easily reachable with the Victoria Line. Ideally you are able to be on-site, but we will also consider hybrid or remote applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop features across the full robotics stack in ROS 2 Jazzy.
• Design modular, testable, and well-documented subsystems for team-wide integration.
• Diagnose system issues using field data, simulations, and real hardware testing.
• Replicate bugs and test features hands‑on directly on microfactory hardware.
• Engineer targeted, robust solutions to resolve complex real‑world edge cases.
• Conduct code and design reviews to maintain code quality and maintainability.
• Contribute to internal engineering processes, developer tooling, and continuous team improvement

About You

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience shipping and maintaining production software, including testing, CI and debugging code you didn't write
• Strong Python software engineering skills (with C++ as a plus) applied to high‑level robotics software
• Working experience with ROS 2: nodes, topics, services, actions, parameters, launch and composition. Simulation‑only or academic experience is acceptable
• Confident on Linux, including the shell, systemd, networking and containers
• Able to work effectively in a distributed team and hit the ground running
• Experience contributing within a large existing codebase
• Docker‑based development and deployment
• Behaviour trees or similar patterns for orchestrating long‑running tasks
• Software that talks to physical hardware: controllers, sensors or industrial equipment over a network or fieldbus

Bonus if you have experience with:

• Simulation for development and CI (Isaac Sim, Gazebo or similar)
• Industrial robot arms, motion planning or manufacturing automation
• DDS configuration and multi‑machine ROS 2 networking
• Structured logging, metrics and record/replay tooling
• Embedded Linux and edge compute platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson

Our Values

• #ownyourmission - we take responsibility and execute with focus and urgency.
• #forpeopleandplanet - we strive to do the best for people and planet.
• #buildtogether - we succeed through deep collaboration with our team, partners, and customers.
• #gooddesign - we centre good design in everything we do, holistically.
• #beboldberadical - we think creatively; we are ambitious, bold, and radical.

We're building a team as diverse as the communities we serve. If you see a part of this role that excites you, even if you don't meet 100% of the criteria, we encourage you to apply. Let's make housing better, together.

We are committed to creating an equitable, inclusive and diverse workplace. We intend to run an equal, fair and inclusive hiring process. If you feel there is any area we could improve, please let us know at [e-mail].