Software Co-op/Intern, Robotics

Roboticsconnected; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship from founders

Meaningful contributions

Production code ownership

Team off-sites

Startup environment exposure

Job summary

Luminous Robotics, Inc. is seeking a Robotics Intern/Co-op to help build the systems that let LUMI robots know where they are, where they're going, and what to do next. You'll work directly on SLAM, navigation, and behaviors.

It's the core stack that gets our robots safely and reliably through real, uneven, outdoor solar sites. This is a hands-on seat at the table, not a shadowing role: your code will run on real robots, at real construction sites, alongside engineers who'll expect you to own

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled graduate student in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Solid understanding of SLAM, localization, mapping, and/or path-planning fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience with C++ and/or Python; exposure to ROS/ROS2.
• Familiarity with AI coding assistants and dev tools to accelerate development.
• Interest in robotics, renewable energy, or clean tech.
• Git, Agile methods, Jira, or equivalent.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Team-oriented and ready for real-world deployment challenges.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to core parts of the LUMI robotics stack, focusing on SLAM, navigation, and robot behaviors.
• Design, implement, and test localization, mapping, and path-planning algorithms for outdoor, GPS-degraded sites.
• Build and refine the behavior logic (state machines, task sequencing) for field tasks.
• Write production code; participate in code reviews, documentation, and cross-functional meetings.
• Analyze sensor data (LiDAR, camera, IMU, GPS) and help build visualization or debugging tools.
• Collaborate with Deployment Engineering to turn field issues into robust fixes.

Skills

C++/Python

SLAM

Localization

Mapping

Path planning

ROS/ROS2

Education

Graduate student in Robotics/CS/Engineering

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Git

Jira

Docker

Job description

Software Co-op/Intern, Robotics

South Boston, MA United Staes

$20-25 hourly

ABOUT LUMINOUS

Luminous Robotics, Inc. is solving one of the defining infrastructure problems of this decade: decarbonization and AI data center growth are forcing the world to scale energy infrastructure faster than at any point in history. Based in Boston, we address this through flexible, physical AI robot fleets that build and operate solar energy infrastructure. In the past 12 months, we've developed three generations of LUMI robots and brought online clean energy for thousands of U.S. homes. We're now scaling into large-scale commercial fleet deployments globally

THE ROLE

We're looking for a Robotics Intern/Co-op to help build the systems that let LUMI robots know where they are, where they're going, and what to do next. You'll work directly on SLAM, navigation, and behaviors. It's the core stack that gets our robots safely and reliably through real, uneven, outdoor solar sites. This is a hands-on seat at the table, not a shadowing role: your code will run on real robots, at real construction sites, alongside engineers who'll expect you to own your piece of the stack.

RESPONSIBLITIES

• Contribute to core parts of the LUMI robotics stack, with a focus on SLAM, navigation/mapping, and robot behaviors
• Design, implement, and test localization, mapping, and path-planning algorithms suited to outdoor, GPS-degraded solar construction environments
• Build and refine the behavior logic (state machines, task sequencing) that governs how LUMI robots execute field tasks
• Write production code following rigorous coding practices; participate in code reviews, documentation, and cross-functional engineering meetings
• Analyze sensor data (LiDAR, camera, IMU, GPS) and help build visualization or debugging tools
• Work directly with the Deployment Engineering team to turn field-observed issues into robust fixes

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current graduate student in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Solid understanding of SLAM, localization, mapping, and/or path-planning fundamentals
• Hands-on experience with C++ and/or Python, and exposure to ROS/ROS2
• Familiarity with AI coding assistants such as Claude Code or OpenAI's developer tools, and comfort using them to accelerate development
• Demonstrated interest in robotics, renewable energy, or clean tech
• Git, Agile methods, Jira, or equivalent
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced startup environment and willing to roll up sleeves, no matter the task
• Team-oriented and excited about real-world deployment challenges
• Bonus: experience with Docker, cloud infrastructure, sensor fusion, or off-road/outdoor robotics

CULTURE FIT

At Luminous, we value grit, creativity, and humility. The ideal candidate is hands-on, proactive, and excited to contribute in a fast-moving environment. We look for individuals who are eager to learn, unafraid to take ownership, and passionate about helping accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

COMPENSATION & PERKS

• Exposure to a high-growth startup environment.
• Opportunity for meaningful contributions and tangible results.
• Real ownership of production code that ships to deployed robots
• Mentorship from founders and senior team members.
• Hands-on experience with cutting-edge robotic systems.
• Access to team off-sites, workshops, and events.