Mapping & Localization Software Engineer - Help Build the Brain of Next-Gen Defense DronesOpportunity Summary Join an elite team at the forefront of autonomy, building high-performance unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for defense applications in unpredictable, low-communication environments. This stealth-mode, venture-backed startup is combining breakthrough autonomy with resilient aerial platforms capable of operating in GPS-denied and harsh operational scenarios. As a Mapping & Localization Software Engineer, you'll design, implement, and optimize the perception layer that enables these vehicles to understand, map, and navigate complex, dynamic environments in real time. This is a rare opportunity to lead the development of mission-critical SLAM and localization software from early research through field deployment. You'll work across algorithm design, system integration, and performance tuning for real-world, defense-grade autonomy.
About Us We are a rapidly growing, well-funded startup operating at the intersection of autonomy, robotics, and national defense. Our mission is to deliver autonomous aerial platforms that can operate effectively in highly contested and communication-limited environments. Our stealth aerial vehicles are designed for dynamic battlefield and tactical edge use cases, with core autonomy, perception, and communication systems developed entirely in-house. With deep technical roots and government backing, we're building fast and we're just getting started.
Job Duties - Architect and implement robust mapping and localization software optimized for low-SWaP autonomous platforms.
- Develop real-time algorithms for SLAM, error correction, and global map alignment in degraded GPS or GPS-denied environments.
- Build tooling and infrastructure to manage large-scale map data, transformations, and localization state across missions.
- Apply non-linear optimization, probabilistic filtering, and spatial indexing methods to ensure system accuracy and reliability.
- Collaborate with perception, navigation, and autonomy teams to integrate mapping systems with onboard decision-making pipelines.
- Design experiments, benchmarking pipelines, and data collection workflows to validate performance in edge-case scenarios.
- Evaluate sensor configurations (IMU, magnetometers, GNSS, RTK, stereo, LiDAR) and contribute to system-level design decisions.
- Support testing and flight operations with field-deployable tools, diagnostics, and system tuning capabilities.
Qualifications - Master's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
- 3+ years of experience building real-world software systems for mapping, SLAM, or localization in robotics or autonomous vehicles.
- Proficiency in C and/or Python, with strong familiarity with robotics middleware and numerical computing libraries.
- Deep understanding of coordinate systems, transforms, and spatial data structures.
- Experience evaluating localization sensor performance and fusing diverse sensor data sources.
- Strong systems thinking and ability to work across simulation, deployment, and post-mission analysis environments.
- U.S. Person status (citizen or lawful permanent resident) required due to export control regulations.
Preferred Experience - Ph.D. in a relevant field focused on mapping, SLAM, or localization under uncertainty.
- Prior contributions to software used in low-connectivity or GPS-denied field environments.
- Familiarity with frameworks like ROS, Cartographer, GTSAM, or similar SLAM backends.
- Background in large-scale spatial data processing, distributed compute, or offline/online loop closure methods.
- Hands-on experience designing localization pipelines for drones, mobile robots, or military robotics platforms.
- Experience building and tuning perception systems involving LiDAR, stereo vision, or multi-sensor fusion.
- Knowledge of open-source datasets, SLAM benchmarking environments, and performance evaluation techniques.
Security Clearance - Must be able to obtain US Top Secret Security Clearance.
Why Join Us - High-impact role in a high-autonomy, low-bureaucracy engineering environment
- Opportunity to build first-of-their-kind systems with real national security value
- Access to hardware, lab space, test ranges, and field deployments
- Competitive salary and early-stage equity participation
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Flexible scheduling and collaborative team culture
- Mentorship, technical growth, and cross-functional exposure
Compensation Details $135,000 - $195,000 plus generous equity