Founding Localization Engineer

Theseus; California (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering company focused on real-world autonomy for unmanned systems. As a Founding Engineer, you will lead the development of innovative visual navigation systems for drones, ensuring high accuracy and performance. This role offers immense ownership and the opportunity to shape the future of cutting-edge robotics technology. If you are passionate about solving complex problems in a startup environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Be part of a team that values diverse perspectives and is committed to making a real-world impact in the field of robotics.

Benefits

Competitive salary and equity package

Comprehensive health benefits

Office in San Francisco

Easy access to CalTrain / I280

Qualifications

• 1+ years in embedded hardware with experience in camera systems.
• Proficient in embedded C++ and troubleshooting issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of visual navigation systems for drones.
• Design and implement embedded software for robotics.

Skills

Embedded C++ programming

Robotics localization

Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO)

System architecture decision-making

Troubleshooting hardware and software

Tools

Embedded systems

ArduPilot ecosystem

Job description

Theseus's mission is to push the boundaries of real-world autonomy for unmanned systems. Theseus' Micro VPS (Visual Positioning System) replaces GPS with computer vision for autonomous drone localization in contested environments. We tackle the hardest localization challenges with a focus on low SWaP-C (Size Weight and Power, Cost) enabling rapid retrofitting onto existing airframes. We are solving the key problem that limits autonomy for drones in contested environments.

The role

We are seeking a Founding Engineer with deep expertise in embedded engineering and robotics localization to join our team. If you are passionate about robotics, and are excited to solve cutting-edge, time-sensitive problems that have a real-world impact, this role is for you.

As a founding engineer, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of Theseus and will grow with the company as we scale. You will have immense ownership over our core product and have a direct hand in how our systems operate, perform, and are deployed.

You Will

1. Lead the development and optimization of our visual navigation system, ensuring high accuracy and performance across large fleets of drones.
2. Design, test, and implement embedded software with a focus on vision-based robotics, ensuring they meet cost, SWAP (Size, Weight, and Power), and performance constraints.
3. Make key decisions around system architecture, balancing execution risk, lead time, and cost to deliver scalable, reliable solutions.
4. Work closely with vendors and suppliers, managing external relationships to ensure performance of hardware components for your software.
5. Drive fleet management strategies, overseeing QA for large deployments and proactively addressing issues that arise in the field.

You Have

1. Over one year of experience in embedded hardware, including over one year working on systems that involve cameras or VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry).
2. Proficient in writing embedded C++ code, troubleshooting both hardware and software issues.
3. Demonstrated ability to balance technical trade-offs (SWAP, cost, lead time) and develop solutions that prioritize scalability and cost-efficiency.
4. Experience managing fleets of robotic systems, leading QA efforts, and working directly with vendors to troubleshoot and ensure system reliability.

Nice to have’s

1. Experience working with drones or other autonomous aerial vehicles.
2. Experience working with the ArduPilot ecosystem.
3. Previous experience in a startup environment or building something from the ground up.

Benefits / What we offer

1. Competitive salary and equity package
2. Opportunity to be part of the founding team, with direct influence over product and company direction.
3. Comprehensive health benefits.
4. Office in San Francisco with easy CalTrain / I280 access.

At Theseus, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment. We believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences is essential for innovation and success. We encourage people of all identities to apply, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other dimension of diversity. If you are energized by solving hard problems that impact geopolitics, this is for you.