Robotics Software Engineer

Job Summary

The Robotics Software Engineer develops and maintains software for GPSI autonomous underwater vehicle systems. The position supports a ROS2-based software stack running on embedded Linux, with responsibilities spanning navigation, state estimation, sensor integration, deployment infrastructure, autonomy, and mission software. The role works across software and hardware boundaries and supports development through in-water testing and field deployment. We have two positions available, one with 1-3 years’ experience and one with 5-7 years’ experience.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in robotics, computer science, engineering, or a related field.
• One to seven years of professional experience, or equivalent graduate research, working with physical robotic systems.
• Professional or research experience developing software in C++ and Python within a ROS or ROS2 environment.
• Experience working with embedded Linux and debugging software-to-hardware interfaces.
• Must be a United States citizen.

Primary Job Duties

Navigation & State Estimation:

• Develop, evaluate, and maintain algorithms for sensor fusion and coordinate-frame management across a multi-sensor suite operating in GPS-denied environments.
• Support evaluation and troubleshooting of navigation, state-estimation, and controls behavior using test data and physical vehicle results.
• Sensor Integration:
• Develop and maintain driver-level software for vehicle sensors and embedded communication interfaces.
• Diagnose integration issues across application software, operating-system services, firmware interfaces, and connected hardware.
• Collaborate with cross-domain personnel to incorporate physical design changes and new sensors into the software stack.

Systems & Infrastructure:

• Build and maintain development and deployment tooling for a multi-vehicle fleet, including build pipelines, containerized development environments, device provisioning, and process management on embedded targets.
• Support repeatable software configuration, deployment, and troubleshooting across development and fielded systems.

Autonomy & Mission Software:

• Contribute to higher-level software governing mission execution, vehicle safety protocols, and communication with operators.
• Support autonomy architectures, mission planning, simulation, and vehicle-behavior testing as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Proficiency in C++ and Python in a ROS or ROS2 environment.
• Firm grasp of state estimation, sensor fusion, or controls and the ability to reason about system behavior from first principles.
• Experience working with embedded Linux and comfort operating at the OS level.
• Ability to debug problems that cross abstraction layers, from algorithms to hardware communication.
• Self-directed and comfortable working in a small team with significant individual responsibility.
• Clear technical communication and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with marine, underwater, or field robotics.

• Familiarity with inertial navigation, acoustic sensing, or subsea communication systems.

• Experience with simulation frameworks for robotic vehicles.

• Background in autonomy architectures, behavior trees, or mission-planning systems.

• Experience with cross-compilation, containerized workflows, or CI/CD for embedded targets.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role involves extended periods of computer-based work in an office or engineering-lab environment and may include work around electronic equipment, autonomous underwater vehicles, test fixtures, docks, boats, or waterfront test locations. The position may require occasional lifting of equipment or materials weighing up to 25 pounds and participation in field or in-water test activities. Reasonable accommodation may be made as required.