Software Engineer

Position: Robotics Software Engineer - PlatformLocation: Austin, Texas (onsite/open to remote)Employment Type: Full-Time/PermanentOverviewOur client is a robotics startup based in Austin, Texas, building rugged, scalable robots for situational awareness in hazardous environments. They serve firefighting, emergency response, public safety, oil & gas, defense, and industrial markets. Their mission is to create a new paradigm of scalable, reliable, and useful robots for real-world hazardous operations, providing critical solutions to some of the most dangerous problems.The client has raised an oversubscribed funding round from top-tier venture firms and is working directly with over 80 major fire departments, law enforcement agencies, industrial teams, and military units across the U.S., including the Air Force, Army, and SERDP. Their robots are built with and for firefighters, first responders, warfighters, and emergency crews.The team is early-stage, less than 2 years old, with a tight-knit group currently developing the 5th generation of their robot. After years of prototypes, demos, and pilots, they are now designing a production-ready system.These are foundational roles; joining now means helping shape not just the product but also the company, its culture, and the future of its mission.Role Description:As a Platform Software Engineer, you will work across the full software stack of the robotic system. You will own areas ranging from sensor integration architecture to network prioritization and optimization, as well as the teleoperation experience of the platform.You will ideate and iterate on new features that define how the robot is used, determining what creates critical value. You will help define how software is developed, deployed, and tested in both simulated and real environments, while coordinating with electrical and mechanical teams as needed.You will own portions of the product and have the autonomy to shape them in alignment with the broader vision. You are expected to take initiative and execute without requiring constant direction.Key Responsibilities:Understand system requirements, challenge unnecessary ones, and translate validated requirements into solutionsWork with team members and users to design critical features from the ground up, including architecture and workflowsPrototype, validate, and refine end-to-end features, from sensor integration to networking to SLAM for reconnaissanceDevelop lightweight frontends to demonstrate feature utility and user experience conceptsTest features in lab and simulated environments to ensure reliability and drive improvementsOptimize features such as video streaming for performance in low-bandwidth conditionsOptimize software for hardware constraints, including compute, data transfer, and memoryDebug complex issues across processing, threading, and system-level interactionsCollaborate with hardware teams for integration and issue resolutionDocument design intent, frameworks/SDK usage, and post-test recommendationsEnsure code is readable and usable for the teamStay up to date on user needs, best practices, and emerging technologiesCommunicate directly with users as needed to guide engineering directionQualifications:Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Computer Science or an engineering discipline1–3+ years of experience developing with hardware, preferably in industryProficiency in C/C++, with some experience in Python or another scripting languageBasic familiarity with frontend technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)Foundational understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design patternsExperience working with LinuxUnderstanding of communication buses and protocols (CAN, USB, I2C, Ethernet, etc.)Comfortable using lab instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)Experience using open-source libraries for complex tasks such as computer visionSome familiarity (even limited) with ROS 1/2Experience delivering projects beyond the scripting phase, ideally to production or releasePreferred Qualifications:Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computational Engineering, or related field5+ years of software experience, preferably in roboticsExperience working in a high-growth startup environmentStrong proficiency in C/C++, Python, and frontend technologiesExperience working with ROS 1/2Experience with computer vision, SLAM, and perception systemsStrong Linux expertiseExperience developing real-time systemsSolid understanding of computer architectureDeep understanding of communication protocols (CAN, USB, I2C, Ethernet, etc.)Experience with networking and wireless communicationsExperience implementing CI/CD pipelinesExperience with DockerFamiliarity with Agile and test-driven developmentStrong entrepreneurial track record (engineer, founder, or operator in a 0-to-1 environment), with the ability to support scaling across engineering, operations, and businessINTERESTED?We are committed to submitting suitable candidates for this vacancy to our client ASAP, for more information contact Renz Moreno at PER Recruitment or send your CV to renz@per-international.com