Principal/Lead Autonomy Software Engineer

MBN Solutions; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

MBN Solutions partners with a VC-backed defence technology company developing next-generation autonomous systems. We are looking for an experienced Autonomy Software Engineer with mobile robotics experience, who has a generalist mindset and wants to work across three or more problem areas, rather than staying siloed in one specialty.

This high-performing, world-leading engineering team builds production autonomy software deployed on robotic platforms in the real world.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field.
• 3+ years building soft-real-time embedded systems.
• Deep expertise in at least one systems language (Golang, Rust, or C/C++).
• Proven experience deploying and validating robotics algorithms (Dubins planning, SLAM, Kalman filters, particle filters, A*, behavior trees, reinforcement learning, etc.).
• Working knowledge of embedded systems (SPI/I2C/serial protocols, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, microcontroller programming).
• Strong networking fundamentals (NAT, mDNS, UDP/TCP, multicast, firewall configuration).
• Excellent software engineering practices with emphasis on testable, reliable code.

Responsibilities

• Build core perception, planning, and control systems for autonomous platforms.
• Develop robotics and autonomy software across planning, estimation, tracking, sensor fusion, and multi-agent coordination.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to deliver production-grade autonomous systems.

Job description

MBN Solutions is partnering with a VC-backed defence technology company developing next-generation autonomous systems. We are looking for an experienced Autonomy Software Engineer specifically with mobile robotics experience, who has a generalist mindset and wants to work across three or more problem areas, rather than staying siloed in one specialty. This high-performing, world-leading engineering team builds production autonomy software deployed on robotic platforms in the real world.

Candidates with backgrounds in perception systems and multi-target tracking will find immediate opportunities to deploy their algorithms to real-world environments.

The Role

You will be responsible for building the core perception, planning, and control systems. You'll develop robotics and autonomy software across planning, estimation, tracking, sensor fusion, and multi-agent coordination, working closely with hardware and software teams to deliver mission-critical autonomous systems.

Basic Qualifications

Seniority

• 3 - 8 years of experience in robotics/autonomy software engineering, using C/C++, Rust, or Golang
• Built robotics/autonomy software at a startup or autonomous systems company (not just embedded work at a large defense prime)
• Track correlation, sensor fusion, or multi- target tracking on fielded systems
• Experience with multi- robot coordination or controlling multiple autonomous assets simultaneously
• Candidates with backgrounds in perception systems and multi-target tracking will find immediate opportunities to deploy their algorithms to real-world environments.

Education

• BS+ in CS, Robotics, Math, or related technical field from a strong program
• Systems- level robotics software: planning, estimation, filtering, or state reasoning — not just perception
• Proficiency in C/C++, Rust, or Golang for real- time systems
• Experience with hardware integration and field debugging on real robotic platforms

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field.
• 3+ years building soft-real-time embedded systems.
• Deep expertise in at least one systems language (Golang, Rust, or C/C++).
• Proven experience deploying and validating robotics algorithms (Dubins planning, SLAM, Kalman filters, particle filters, A*, behavior trees, reinforcement learning, etc.).
• Working knowledge of embedded systems (SPI/I2C/serial protocols, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, microcontroller programming).
• Strong networking fundamentals (NAT, mDNS, UDP/TCP, multicast, firewall configuration).
• Excellent software engineering practices with emphasis on testable, reliable code.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with perception systems, sensor fusion, or multi-target tracking (Kalman-based trackers, JPDA, MHT, or similar).
• Contributions to deployed robotics or IoT systems requiring complex edge processing (aerospace, autonomous vehicles, etc.).
• Experience with robotics middleware (DDS/ROS2, ZeroMQ, gRPC) and serialization formats (Protobuf).
• Familiarity with government UxS interoperability standards (OMS/UCI, STANAG 4586, FACE).
• Hands-on electronics skills (breadboarding, soldering, schematic interpretation, datasheet analysis).
• Deep learning experience.

US Person (citizen or green card), Security Clearance Eligible, must reside in the Lower 48