Backend Engineer, Defense Autonomy Simulation

Socket.dev; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Wellness stipend

Job summary

Applied Intuition is hiring backend engineers in Ann Arbor to tackle some of the hardest autonomy challenges in physical AI. You will architect and own backend infrastructure that runs at the edge of what's possible, in environments where the stakes are real.

You'll work in small, high-ownership teams shipping code that directly impacts national security, with strong C++ and Python skills and a passion for simulation and multi-domain defense systems.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional engineering experience, ideally with C++.
• Solid fundamentals in systems programming, concurrency, performance, and real-time pipelines.
• Genuine interest in simulation, autonomy, robotics, or physical AI.
• Exposure to multi-domain defense systems or a desire to develop one.
• Strong CS/CE/EE foundation with a rigorous approach to correctness and performance.
• Python proficiency for tooling and integration.
• Comfort with ambiguity and fast-moving environments.
• Excellent communication skills for technical tradeoffs.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement high-performance software for Axion, Applied Intuition's defense tooling and data platform.
• Build and extend simulation environments and virtual worlds for autonomous systems testing.
• Develop scalable infrastructure supporting multi-domain autonomous operations.
• Partner with autonomy researchers, product teams, and defense customers to translate requirements into robust software solutions.
• Own end-to-end execution of engineering workstreams from architecture through deployment.
• Interface with DoD programs and defense customers to meet real-world demands.

Skills

C++

Python

Systems programming

Concurrency

Real-time simulation

Tools

Unreal Engine

Gazebo

Unity

Job description

Applied Intuition is hiring backend engineers in Ann Arbor to tackle some of the hardest autonomy challenges in physical AI. You will architect and own backend infrastructure that runs at the edge of what's possible, in environments where the stakes are real.

You'll work in small, high-ownership teams shipping code that directly impacts national security, with strong C++ and Python skills and a passion for simulation and multi-domain defense systems.