Robotics Software Engineer

Location: Onsite — Austin, TX

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Job Title: Senior Robotics Engineer

Company Overview

9 Mothers Defense develops AI-enabled systems to counter unmanned aerial threats. Our first product, EDDA, is an autonomous counter-sUAS point-defense platform designed to detect, track, and neutralize Group 1 drone threats. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Robotics Software Engineer to join a small, fast‑moving team. You will design and implement the physical software control systems — the “body” — of our interceptor platforms. This role is critical, as the accuracy of our control theory dictates the success of every high‑speed maneuver in combat. You should be comfortable writing code and working with robotic components (actuators, controllers, compute, sensors, etc.).

Essential Duties

• Design and implement high‑bandwidth software control loops and advanced control algorithms (e.g., PID control) to ensure vehicle stability and enable high‑speed, precise maneuvers under dynamic load.
• Write high‑quality, efficient code (primarily Rust, C, or C++) to control and manage actuators, motor drivers (via CAN bus), and sensors on a real‑time operating system (RTOS).
• Integrate and fuse sensor data from cameras and IMUs (using methods such as EKF/UKF) on embedded systems (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson) to achieve reliable, real‑time state estimation.
• Act as the final link in the autonomy chain, translating tracking output from the computer vision system into reliable motor commands that accurately steer the interceptor.
• Define, build, and maintain Python tools for calibration, logging, and CI/CD, ensuring rapid iteration and deployment.

Requirements

• Control theory & embedded systems: Strong grasp of PID control, motor drivers, CAN bus, and RTOS fundamentals. Expertise in designing control and performance for robotics applications.
• Programming/frameworks: Hands‑on experience building embedded robotics systems. Proficiency in Rust, C, or C++ for speed and direct hardware interaction.
• Hardware: Experience with embedded platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson and camera pipelines. Skilled in managing scopes, logic/CAN analyzers, and basic rework.
• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to pass a background check

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ROS2, DDS, or similar middleware
• Model‑predictive or adaptive control expertise
• PCB design and EMC awareness
• Safety‑critical workflow experience
• Prior defense startup experience
• Security clearance or ability to obtain one
• Passion for building robots or engineering projects as a hobby

Benefits

• Meaningful Early Equity: You aren't just an employee; you are a foundational owner. Your contributions directly drive the value of your stake in the company.
• Direct Roadmap Influence: Forget the bureaucracy of big defense. You will have a seat at the table, directly shaping our product and technology trajectory from day one.
• Mission-Critical Work: We don't build for "what if." We build systems the Department of War actively needs to counter immediate, real‑world threats.
• The Builder's Playground: Work in a brand-new lab fully optimized for rapid prototyping, equipped with NVIDIA Jetsons, high‑end scopes, and 3‑D printers.
• 100% Employer-Paid Premiums: We cover 100% of your medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums and cover 50% of healthcare premiums for your dependents.
• Unlimited PTO: We value results, not clock-watching. Take the time you need to stay sharp and recharge.
• Zero Red Tape: You report to the founders. You have the autonomy to make technical decisions that would take months of committee approval at a larger firm.
• Austin-Based Culture: Join an onsite team in Austin, TX, where we prioritize high‑bandwidth collaboration and rapid field‑testing.
• Relocation Assistance: We want the best talent in the room. If you aren't in Austin yet, we’ll help you get here, to make your transition to the Silicon Hills seamless.

About the Interview

1. Initial Screening with recruiter - 30 min phone call
2. 1st Round Virtual Interview - Peer Engineer + either SWE Director or VP (1.5hr via MS Teams)
3. 2nd Round Onsite Interview - CTO + Director + VP + peer(s) (~ 6 hours in-person) **will fly out candidates that are not local
4. Reference checks & offer

9 Mothers Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) During the Interview Process

The interviewing process is a mutual opportunity for us to get to know each other better. Our goal is to understand your unique background, evaluate your problem‑solving abilities, and ensure a strong mutual fit.

AI is a core part of how we work at 9 Mothers—we actively encourage and frequently leverage AI tools in our day‑to‑day operations. However, during the hiring process, we need to evaluate your fundamental skills and expertise, not the outputs of an AI model.

To ensure a fair and transparent process, we ask that you adhere to the following interview guidelines:

• 1st-Round Interviews (No AI Allowed): The use of AI tools, assistants, code generation tools, or real‑time copilots is strictly prohibited during all first‑round interviews and assessments. The use of AI during this stage will result in immediate disqualification from the hiring process.
• 2nd-Round Interviews (Guided AI Usage): The second‑round process includes opportunities to utilize AI. Your interview team will provide explicit guidance on how, when, and which AI tools to leverage during this stage.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain an authentic and fair interview experience for everyone.