Robotics Software & Autonomy Engineer

Unseenrobotics; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Unseenrobotics seeks a Robotics Software & Autonomy Engineer to develop software for small robotic systems, enabling sensing, decision-making, communication, and increasing autonomy. You will work with hardware, sensors, embedded systems, and simulations, contributing to field and flight tests.

The role requires experience in C++, Python, and ROS/ROS2, plus strong software architecture and debugging skills.

Qualifications

• Experience programming in C++, Python, C, or similar languages.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and debugging.
• Experience integrating software with real hardware.
• Interest in robotics, autonomous systems, aviation, or defense technology.
• Experience with ROS/ROS 2, Linux, embedded computing, computer vision, AI/ML, navigation, flight controls, simulation, networking, cybersecurity, or UAVs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded and application software for robotic systems.
• Develop autonomy, navigation, mission-management, and vehicle-control functionality.
• Integrate cameras, navigation systems, communications equipment, sensors, and embedded computing hardware.
• Develop interfaces between onboard and ground-based systems.
• Build simulation and software-in-the-loop/hardware-in-the-loop test capabilities.
• Develop tools for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing test data.
• Implement fault detection, health monitoring, and autonomous response logic.
• Support cybersecurity and secure communications implementation.
• Participate in field and flight testing.
• Troubleshoot problems spanning software, networking, electronics, and physical hardware.
• Help establish the software architecture and development processes for future products.

Skills

C++

Python

C

Software architecture

Debugging

ROS/ROS2

Linux

Embedded systems

Team collaboration

Education

BS or MS in CS/CE/EE/AE/Robotics

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Linux

Embedded computing

Computer vision

AI/ML

UAVs

Job description

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment: Full-Time or Part-Time, Contingent on SBIR/Contract Award
Experience Level: Early Career / New Graduate
Expected Start: Upon program award and funding
US Person: Need to be US person who is eligible for secret clearance

About the Role

We are seeking a Robotics Software & Autonomy Engineer to help develop the software that enables small robotic systems to sense, make decisions, communicate, and operate with increasing levels of autonomy.

This is not a narrowly defined software position. You will work directly with physical hardware, sensors, communications systems, embedded computers, simulation environments, and other engineering disciplines.

This position is contingent upon successful SBIR or other government contract award.

What You’ll Do

• Develop embedded and application software for robotic systems.
• Develop autonomy, navigation, mission-management, and vehicle-control functionality.
• Integrate cameras, navigation systems, communications equipment, sensors, and embedded computing hardware.
• Develop interfaces between onboard and ground-based systems.
• Build simulation and software-in-the-loop/hardware-in-the-loop test capabilities.
• Develop tools for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing test data.
• Implement fault detection, health monitoring, and autonomous response logic.
• Support cybersecurity and secure communications implementation.
• Participate in field and flight testing.
• Troubleshoot problems spanning software, networking, electronics, and physical hardware.
• Help establish the software architecture and development processes for future products.
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related discipline.
• Experience programming in C++, Python, C, or similar languages.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and debugging.
• Experience integrating software with real hardware.
• Ability to independently solve poorly defined engineering problems.
• Interest in robotics, autonomous systems, aviation, or defense technology.

Experience with ROS/ROS 2, Linux, embedded computing, computer vision, AI/ML, navigation, flight controls, simulation, networking, cybersecurity, or UAVs is a plus.

Who Will Thrive Here

We’re looking for a builder, not simply someone who writes code from a requirements document.

If you’ve programmed a robot, built an autonomous vehicle, competed on an engineering team, developed a UAV, integrated sensors, or spent nights debugging why software and hardware weren’t talking to each other, we’d like to hear from you.

As an early member of the engineering team, you’ll have the opportunity to influence the software architecture, autonomy approach, development environment, and future product roadmap.

Important: This is a contingent position. Selection does not constitute a guarantee of employment. Hiring and the anticipated start date depend upon successful contract or SBIR award and availability of program funding.