Robotics Engineer - Ground Autonomy

Alumni Ventures; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

Unlimited PTO policy

Equity Package

Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Job summary

Drive Capital in Palo Alto is seeking a Robotics Engineer to design, build, and deploy autonomy systems for unmanned ground vehicles. This role involves end-to-end ownership of ground autonomy systems, including control algorithms and perception integration, ensuring real-world operational success.

Applicants should possess a Bachelor's degree in a related field and experience with C++, Python, and ROS2. The compensation ranges from $150K to $185K, with excellent benefits including health insurance and unlimited PTO.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience deploying ROS2-based autonomy systems on real-world ground platforms.
• Experience designing control systems for autonomous vehicles.
• U.S. Citizenship and eligibility for U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own ground autonomy systems deployed to operational platforms.
• Design and implement control algorithms for trajectory generation.
• Develop and integrate perception pipelines for obstacle detection.

Skills

C++

Python

Systems-thinking

Debugging

Robotics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Linux

ROS2

Job description

Location

Palo Alto

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

Hybrid

Department

Autonomy

Compensation

• $150K – $185K • Offers Equity • Offers Bonus

Our openings span more than one career level. The provided salary depends on many factors, such as work experience and transferable skills, business needs and impact, and market demands.

About Us

Collaborative autonomy is how self-tasking teams of machines will solve hard human problems, and HavocAI is an unquestioned leader in collaborative autonomy. We set the standard for autonomous surface vessels for a wide range of defense and commercial maritime missions. Success requires us to grow quickly, and we’re looking for teammates who are passionate about solving hard problems, about pushing the envelope, and about preventing conflict and saving lives. Ambition is welcome to apply within.

About the Role

As a Robotics Engineer – Ground Autonomy, you will design, build, and deploy autonomy systems for unmanned ground vehicles operating in complex, unstructured environments.

This role spans the full autonomy stack — from control systems and motion planning to perception integration and mission execution. You won’t just write algorithms; you’ll own systems that move real machines across real terrain under real operational constraints.

If you are energized by making intelligent systems move safely and confidently through the world, and want your work tested beyond the lab, this role offers immediate and meaningful impact.

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End Autonomy Ownership

• Own ground autonomy systems deployed to operational platforms
• Deliver reliable, mission-ready autonomy software

Control & Motion Planning

• Design and implement control algorithms (path following, trajectory generation, vehicle dynamics modeling)
• Develop motion planning strategies for diverse and dynamic terrains
• Optimize for stability, precision, and safety

Perception Integration

• Develop and integrate perception pipelines for obstacle detection, terrain analysis, and environmental understanding
• Fuse heterogeneous sensors (camera, lidar, radar, IMU) into robust autonomy outputs

Autonomy Architecture

• Build and extend ROS2-based autonomy stacks
• Implement mission planning, behavior trees, and real-time navigation logic
• Maintain modular, scalable autonomy architecture

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with embedded, hardware, and mission software teams
• Drive autonomy integration from prototype to field deployment

Field Testing & Debugging

• Develop monitoring and performance metrics for deployed systems
• Diagnose autonomy failures in real-world environments
• Support live testing, demonstrations, and deployments

Customer & Operator Engagement

• Translate operational ground mission needs into autonomy capabilities
• Balance field constraints with technical feasibility

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (or related field)
• 3+ years of experience in C++ and/or Python in Linux environments
• Hands-on experience deploying ROS2-based autonomy systems on real-world ground platforms
• Experience designing control systems for autonomous vehicles (path planning, trajectory following, vehicle dynamics)
• Experience building perception systems for ground autonomy
• Strong systems-thinking and debugging skills
• Passion for mission-critical real-world robotics
• U.S. Citizenship and eligibility for U.S. security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multi-agent or coordinated ground vehicle systems
• SLAM, GPS-denied navigation, or advanced localization techniques
• Motion planning algorithms (RRT, MPC, A*, etc.)
• Experience with heterogeneous sensor integration
• Real-time or safety-critical systems experience
• Familiarity with military ground systems and operational tactics

Why This Role Matters

You will build autonomy systems that operate beyond controlled environments — on terrain that challenges perception, control, and decision-making in real time. Your work will directly impact how autonomous ground platforms perform in operational missions.

Benefits

• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families
• Life Insurance (Employer Paid)
• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)
• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum
• Equity Package
• Work / Home Office Stipend
• Global Entry
• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave
• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.
• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.
• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.
• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.
• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.
• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Compensation Range: $150K - $185K