Software Autonomy Engineer - Underwater Autonomous Systems

MBN Solutions is partnering with an early-stage defense technology company developing a new generation of autonomous underwater vehicles for operation in GPS-denied and communications-denied environments.We are looking for three Autonomy Software Engineer to take significant ownership of the autonomy and perception stack. This is a genuine greenfield opportunity: you will architect, build and deploy production autonomy software on real hardware, working directly with the Head of Autonomy & Software and a small, highly technical founding team.The platform must navigate, perceive its environment and execute extended missions independently, without relying on continuous communications or human intervention.What you’ll be doingArchitecting and implementing the autonomy stack, including mission planning, path planning, obstacle avoidance, target detection and autonomous decision-makingDeveloping classical and machine-learning-based perception pipelinesBuilding software for power-constrained embedded compute using NVIDIA Jetson Orin AGXIntegrating sensor data to support reliable navigation and environmental understanding in challenging underwater conditionsTaking autonomy capabilities from simulation through hardware integration, field validation and production deploymentSupporting practical testing in dive pools and live ocean environmentsDebugging vehicle behaviour and telemetry during field trialsOwning systems end-to-end, from requirements and architecture through implementation, verification and deploymentHelping establish the technical foundations of a growing autonomy engineering organisationWhat we’re looking forAt least five years of professional experience in autonomy, robotics, perception or closely related software engineeringStrong production-level C++ and PythonExperience building and deploying autonomy software on real-world robotic platformsKnowledge of motion or path planning, autonomous decision-making, perception, sensor fusion or localisationExperience with computer vision, machine learning or classical perception techniquesFamiliarity with embedded or edge compute and the constraints associated with power, latency and limited resourcesExperience with simulation, software-in-the-loop or hardware-in-the-loop testingA track record of taking responsibility for systems beyond research or prototypingThe ability to work effectively in a fast-moving, early-stage engineering environmentRelevant technologiesC++ | Python | ROS | PyTorch | TensorFlow | OpenCV | CUDA | NVIDIA Jetson Orin AGX | Linux | Git | Docker | SIL/HIL Simulation | Sensor Fusion | Computer Vision | Machine LearningWhy consider this opportunity?Build a production autonomy architecture from the ground up, without legacy constraintsWork on autonomous systems designed for extended operation in denied environmentsSee your software deployed on physical vehicles and tested in real ocean conditionsJoin a small team where individual engineers have substantial technical influenceWork alongside engineers with backgrounds spanning SpaceX, Tesla, Archer Aviation, Vast and other advanced technology companiesReceive a competitive base salary, meaningful early-stage equity and relocation supportAccess comprehensive health, dental, vision and 401(k) benefitsLocation: Los Angeles, California (Re-location available)Working pattern: Full-time, five days on-siteEquity: Approximately 0.5%Visa sponsorship: Not available - ITAR Candidates onlyThis position requires full-time, on-site attendance in Los Angeles. Candidates must already have unrestricted authorisation to work in the United States, as visa sponsorship is not available.To apply or discuss the position confidentially, contact MBN Solutions.