Software developer

Vector Machines B.V.; Heerenveen; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vector Machines B.V. seeks a ROS Engineer to advance autonomous mowing robots for solar parks across Europe. You will develop ROS2 nodes, optimize localization, path planning, and docking, and contribute to sensor fusion for robust operation.

You will collaborate with embedded engineers and backend developers, test during demonstrations in European solar parks, and take ownership of challenging robotics problems in real-world outdoor environments.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience with ROS2.
• Proficient in C++ and Python.
• Experience with GPS/IMU/LiDAR or vision-based localization.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize ROS nodes and algorithms for autonomous mowing robots.
• Work on localization, path planning, navigation, safety systems and docking functionality.
• Implementsensor fusion (GPS, lidar, vision) for robust position estimation and obstacle detection
• Developadaptive systems that can handle deviations between map data and real-world conditions
• Contributeto autonomous features such as collision avoidance and automated docking
• Collaborate with embedded engineers and backend developers on the robot stack and demonstrate results in solar parks across Europe

Skills

ROS2

C++

Python

Localization

Sensor fusion

Tools

GPS

IMU

LiDAR

Vision

Job description

VectorMachines develops autonomous mowing robots for solar parks. Ourrobots navigate independently through complex environments usinglidar, GPS and vision (sensor fusion). We're in a crucial growthphase, demonstrating our technology to customers throughout Europe.

The Challenge

We'relooking for a ROS Engineer to help us tackle the complex challengesof autonomous navigation in real-world environments. Our robotsoperate in solar parks where they need to navigate reliably throughchallenging conditions: dealing with GPS inaccuracies, dynamicobstacles, varying terrain, and the need for centimeter-levelprecision when mowing around valuable solar installations.

Fromlocalization and path planning to safety systems and autonomousdocking, there are exciting technical problems to solve. We'rebuilding a robust, scalable solution that needs to work autonomouslyacross diverse solar parks throughout Europe: each with its ownunique challenges.

What will you do?

• Developand optimize ROS nodes and algorithms for our autonomous mowingrobots
• Workon localization, path planning, navigation, safety systems anddocking functionality
• Implementsensor fusion (GPS, lidar, vision) for robust position estimationand obstacle detection
• Developadaptive systems that can handle deviations between map data andreal-world conditions
• Contributeto autonomous features such as collision avoidance and automateddocking
• Collaboratewith embedded engineers and backend developers on the complete robotstack
• Testand validate during demonstrations at solar parks throughout Europe

What do you bring?

Required:

• Demonstrableexperience with ROS2 (Robot Operating System)
• Knowledgeof GPS, IMU, lidar and/or vision-based localization
• Programmingskills in C++ and/or Python
• Abilityto work independently and take ownership of technical challenges

Strong advantages:

• Experiencewith outdoor robotics and GPS-based navigation
• Experiencewith localization techniques (SLAM, sensor fusion, state estimation)
• Knowledgeof Kalman filters, particle filters
• Affinitywith practical robotics in real-world environments
• Willingnessto occasionally join customer demonstrations

What we offer

• Theopportunity to contribute to cutting-edge robotics technology forsustainable energy
• Directimpact on a product that customers evaluate on concrete KPIs
• Collaborationwith a driven team of ROS engineers, embedded specialists andbackend developers
• Workon challenging real-world robotics problems