Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Robotics

Kismet Search; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Competitive insurance

401k matching

Four free lunches per week

Pet-friendly office

Unlimited/Flex PTO

Job summary

A dynamic automotive technology firm is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop next-generation robotics and autonomous systems. You'll create pivotal software solutions, integrating various sensor data while enjoying a flexible work culture that supports personal freedoms. The ideal candidate has strong C/C++ and Python skills, with at least 6 years of industry experience, thriving in a fast-paced and collaborative setting.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in software, including 3+ years with embedded systems.
• Strong coding skills in C/C++ and Python.
• Experience integrating sensor data in autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test new features for autonomous systems.
• Develop autonomy algorithms for robotic platforms.
• Integrate new sensors and enhance internal tooling.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Sensor integration

Software architecture

Linux environments

Middleware frameworks

Microcontroller interfacing

Relational databases

Multi-threaded development

Mobile robotics

PID control

Job description

Title

Embedded Software Engineer – Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles

Location

San Diego, CA (on-site, some WFH flexibility)

Salary

$160K - $210K base (DOE) + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits.

About the Client Company

Our exclusive San Diego based Client is a nimble, high-impact team developing next‑generation autonomous vehicles that radically change how defense, scientific, and commercial customers operate. Their vehicles collect critical data in dangerous or remote locations, without putting humans at risk.

With a significant and newly closed round of Series‑A funding and substantial contracts in place with the DoD and research institutions, they are ready to grow and scale!

Their culture? Fast, focused, and fun. They are a small but growing crew of brilliant engineers, operators, and builders who value execution, curiosity, and being good humans.

About You

You are a skilled Embedded Engineer and thrive in fast‑moving, small‑team environments where iteration is constant and impact is immediate. You’re the kind of person who writes code for fun, keeps up with the latest in robotics, and balances quick thinking with deep focus. Whether you’re a lightning‑fast typist or just terrifyingly efficient, you get things done, and done right.

This is a rare opportunity to ship code into live, mission‑critical robotics systems, and actually see your work in action in the real world. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned expert, we’re looking for curiosity, initiative, and a collaborative mindset.

What You’ll Do

You’ll work across the full embedded software stack—from writing low‑level drivers to shaping decision‑making logic. Expect a high degree of autonomy and ownership. You will:

• Design, build, and test new features to make autonomous systems smarter, safer, and more user‑friendly
• Develop and refine autonomy algorithms to help robotic platforms navigate complex environments
• Rapidly integrate new sensors and payloads in response to real‑world needs
• Enhance internal tooling, test automation, and system health monitoring
• Support field testing, validation, and customer demos (optionally including site travel if you’re up for it)

Required Experience

• 6+ years in the software industry, including 3+ years building embedded systems (bonus for real‑time or resource‑constrained environments)
• Strong coding skills in C/C++ and Python
• Experience integrating a variety of sensor data in autonomous systems (ex. IMU, GPS, RADAR, LiDAR, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience designing software architectures and algorithms for systems with tight resource limits

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency working in Linux environments
• Experience with messaging/middleware frameworks (ex. MQTT, ZeroMQ, ROS)
• Familiarity with common sensor communication protocols (ex. RS‑232, RS‑485, TCP/IP, NMEA‑2000, CAN, I2C, SPI)
• Comfort working at the firmware level and interfacing directly with microcontrollers
• Familiarity with relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL)
• Proficiency in multi‑threaded application development
• A knack for architecting software that’s both reliable and scalable
• Exceptional collaboration skills—and no ego when it comes to team success
• A healthy impatience for fragile or messy systems
• Hands‑on experience in mobile robotics
• Knowledge of PID control, object avoidance, or motion/path planning
• Familiarity with ROS or similar frameworks
• Experience writing software that controls powerful or destructive machinery
• Exposure to maritime datasets, radar signal processing, anomaly detection, or acoustic data interpretation

Company Culture and Perks

• Stock options
• Competitive insurance (including a 99% employer‑covered Gold HMO plan or other options)
• 401k matching up to 4% of salary
• Four free lunches per week
• An employee activity fund
• A pet‑friendly office
• Unlimited/Flex PTO
• They are also big on personal freedoms: if you’re on top of your responsibilities and want the afternoon off to surf or spend time with friends and family, go for it!