Robotics Software Engineer (Engineer / Senior)

Deterrence Defense, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Travel assignment premium

Job summary

Deterrence Defense, Inc. in Austin, Texas, seeks a Robotics Software Engineer to build software for automated manufacturing cells, enabling perception, planning, and control from sensors through motion.

You will integrate arms, grippers, sensors, cameras, PLC/SCADA, and contribute to on-site commissioning while shaping robotics software architecture. Senior role leads others and ensures end-to-end cell functionality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, CS, Mechatronics or related field.
• Engineer: 2+ years building robotics software that shipped on real hardware; Senior: 5+ years.
• Strong ROS 2 experience with real hardware; ROS 1 background not a fit.
• Working knowledge of ROS 2 stack: DDS middleware, QoS, lifecycle, launch, colcon.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Knowledge of kinematics, motion planning and trajectory execution.
• Experience integrating sensors and interpreting real-world data.
• Comfort with Gazebo, Isaac Sim or MuJoCo.
• Practical understanding of mechanical and electrical constraints.

Responsibilities

• Design and build robotics software stack for automated cells from sensor input through motion.
• Write ROS 2 nodes for perception, planning, control, and coordination between machines.
• Integrate robot arms, grippers, sensors, and cameras with PLC and SCADA layers.
• Build simulation environments to validate behavior before hardware.
• Handle calibration, coordinate frames, and tolerance stacks.
• Tune cycle time and reliability across shifts and part variation.
• Support commissioning and bring-up on site with real parts.

Skills

ROS 2

C++

Python

Motion planning

Sensor integration

Gazebo

MoveIt 2

ros2_control

Nav2

3D perception

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics/CS/Mechatronics

Tools

Gazebo

Isaac Sim

MuJoCo

OpenCV

colcon

Job description

Austin, Texas

Summary

The Robotics Software Engineer builds the software that makes the robots in our automated manufacturing cells aware of what is actually in front of them and able to react, rather than repeating a taught path. This role owns the robotics software stack for our cells from sensor input through motion, integrates arms, grippers, sensors, and cameras alongside the PLC and SCADA layers, and supports commissioning on site. You will be early enough to shape how we do robotics software, and close enough to the floor to see whether it works. We are hiring at the Engineer and Senior levels; scope and independence scale with level.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build the robotics software stack for our automated cells, from sensor input through motion.
• Write ROS 2 nodes for perception, planning, control, and coordination between machines.
• Integrate robot arms, grippers, sensors, and cameras into working cells alongside PLC and SCADA layers.
• Build simulation environments so behavior can be validated before it touches real hardware.
• Handle calibration, coordinate frames, and the tolerance stack-up that decides whether a part actually seats.
• Tune cycle time and reliability, then keep it there across shifts and part variation.
• Support commissioning and bring-up on site, including the debugging that only happens with real parts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, or related engineering field, or equivalent experience.
• Engineer: 2+ years Senior: 5+ years building robotics software that shipped on real hardware.
• Strong ROS 2 experience, including having shipped something on real hardware. A ROS 1–only background is not a fit for this role.
• Working knowledge of the ROS 2 stack itself: DDS middleware, QoS settings, lifecycle nodes, launch, and colcon builds.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Working knowledge of kinematics, transforms, motion planning, and trajectory execution.
• Experience integrating sensors and interpreting messy real-world data.
• Comfort with simulation tools such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or MuJoCo.
• Practical instinct for mechanical and electrical constraints, since the robot is one part of a larger machine.

Level Expectations

Senior additionally owns the robotics software for a full cell end to end, makes the architecture calls inside it, leads integration with the controls and vision engineers, and mentors Engineer-level teammates.

Preferred Skills

• Computer vision background: camera calibration, pose estimation, 2D and 3D detection, OpenCV.
• Deep learning for perception, including running inference on edge GPUs.
• MoveIt 2, ros2_control, or Nav2.
• Industrial robot brands and their controllers, for example FANUC, UR, ABB, or KUKA.
• Force control, compliance, or assembly tasks with tight tolerances.
• Functional safety, risk assessment, or safety-rated hardware.
• Experience talking to PLCs from a robot stack over OPC UA or EtherNet/IP.
• Point cloud processing and 3D scanning.

Compensation

This role is eligible for equity (employee stock options) and benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off. Roles with significant travel may be eligible for an assignment premium.

Export Control

This position may require access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined in 22 CFR 120.62 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) or be eligible to obtain any required authorization.

Equal Opportunity

Deterrence Defense, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities; if you need an accommodation at any point in the process, contact [e-mail].