Systems Engineer - Robotics

Applied Intuition; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k with employer match

Learning stipend

Wellness stipend

Paid time off

Job summary

Applied Intuition in Sunnyvale, CA is seeking a Systems Engineer to define requirements, design architectures, and integrate our software onto autonomous vehicles and defense systems. You’ll work across office and field environments, deploying and validating software on autonomous platforms.

Collaborate with software, autonomy, perception, and data science teams to ensure robust, safe deployment, address field challenges, and document processes for continuous improvements.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Robotic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Optimization, or equivalent OR 5 years of relevant experience designing multi-agent autonomy
• Strong proficiency in Linux and command-line tools
• Strong proficiency in Python and/or C++
• Hands-on experience with robotic systems, sensors, and vehicle autopilots
• Knowledge of inter-vehicle communication protocols

Responsibilities

• Define system requirements from user needs on operational concepts
• Define system and system-of-systems architectures and align with open standards
• Design and build out reference architectures for multiple systems of interest including autonomy systems
• Lead the development of system engineering models and artifacts
• Develop, deploy, and validate software systems on autonomous vehicles
• Participate in hands-on fieldwork deploying software on vehicles
• Work with perception and autonomy teams to deploy and optimize perception pipelines
• Address inter-vehicle communication for collaborative autonomous operations
• Leverage simulation environments to test vehicle systems
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful deployments and document processes

Skills

Linux

Python

C++

Robotics

Autonomy

Sensors

Vehicle autopilots

DDS/ROS

System architecture

Open standards

Education

MS/PhD in Robotic/EE/CS

5 years autonomy design

Tools

PX4

ROS

ROS 2

DDS

Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions.

About The Role

As a Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in defining system requirements, designing architectures, and integrating Applied Intuition’s technology onto autonomous vehicles and defense systems. This role combines systems engineering, robotics, software deployment, architecture, integration, and real-world testing.

You will work across both office and field-based environments, with significant time spent deploying, testing, and validating software on autonomous systems in dynamic, operationally relevant settings. You will collaborate closely with software engineers, autonomy engineers, perception teams, data scientists, and field operators to ensure systems are robust, reliable, and ready for deployment.

At Applied, You Will

• Define system requirements from user needs on operational concepts
• Define system and system-of-systems architectures and align with open standards such as PYRAMID, FCADE, etc.
• Design and build out reference architectures for multiple systems of interest including autonomy systems, mission systems, and weapon systems
• Lead the development of system engineering models and artifacts to capture key design decisions
• Develop, deploy, and validate software systems on autonomous vehicles, focusing on robotics, sensors, and vehicle autopilots
• Participate in hands-on fieldwork, deploying software on vehicles and ensuring proper functionality in dynamic, real-world environments
• Work with the Perception and Autonomy teams to deploy and optimize perception pipelines (Vision, Radar, Fusion) and vehicle autonomy SW, ensuring robust and safe vehicle operation
• Address inter-vehicle communication, ensuring seamless data exchange between vehicles for collaborative autonomous operations
• Leverage simulation environments to test vehicle systems, validating software behavior in various scenarios before field deployment
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, data scientists, and field operators, to ensure the successful deployment of systems. Document processes and provide updates on system status and improvements

We’re Looking For Someone Who Has

• MS or PhD in Robotic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Optimization, or equivalent OR 5 years of relevant experience designing multi-agent autonomy
• Strong proficiency in Linux and command-line tools
• Strong proficiency in Python and/or C++
• Hands‑on experience with robotic systems, sensors (such as RADAR, cameras, radar), and vehicle autopilots (e.g., PX4, ROS) → something out of those
• Knowledge of communication protocols for inter-vehicle communications (e.g., DDS, ROS 2, or similar)
• Experience in integrating third-party software and APIs
• Experience with standards such as PYRAMID, FACE, ARP 4754A, DO-178C, or similar.
• Systems architecturing and requirements writing experience
• Ability to work in field environments, troubleshooting, testing, and deploying systems in challenging conditions

Travel Requirements

• Must be willing to travel as projects requires; average travel varies, but can be up to once a month for up to 1 week (~50%)

Nice To Have

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document processes and communicate technical concepts to cross-disciplinary teams
• Experience working on autonomy, robotics, aerospace, defence, mission systems, or safety-critical systems
• Experience working directly with customers, operators, or end users in field-based environments
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment, including under challenging conditions in remote or field locations
• References who will describe them as low-ego, highly motivated, thoughtfully opinionated, strong communicators and curious listeners

Security Requirements

• Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a US security clearance

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES:

Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request.

If you require an accommodation please contact
[e-mail]. We will work with you!

Compensation Range: $140K - $180K