Robotics Software Engineer

Who we are:Paradigm Robotics is an Austin, Texas based robotics startup building rugged, scalable robots for situational awareness in hazardous environments. We serve firefighting, emergency response, public safety, oil & gas, defense, and industrial markets. Our mission is to create a new paradigm of scalable, reliable, and useful robots for real-world hazardous operations - providing critical solutions to the most dangerous problems out there.We've raised an oversubscribed round from top-tier venture firms. We’re working directly with over 80 of the largest fire departments, law enforcement agencies, industrial teams, and military units across the U.S., including the Air Force, Army, and SERDP. Our robots are built with and for firefighters, first responders, warfighters, and emergency crews.We’re early - less than 2 years old - a tight-knit team of 10, now building the 5th generation of our robot. After years of prototypes, demos, and pilots, we’re designing our production-ready robot.These are foundational roles—joining now means helping shape not just the product, but the company, the culture, and the future of our mission.Why this will be challenging, meaningful, and fun workWe are solving problems that matter. Building robots that operate in fire, debris, water, and chaos is incredibly hard; and building them to scale is even harder. That is why we focus on engineering rigor, rapid iteration, and deep user feedback. We ship real robots into real fires for real customers, which means everyone on the team takes ownership, talks to users, and builds.We value curiosity, autonomy, and low-ego collaboration, and we celebrate wins while owning mistakes. At the same time, we know how to have fun. From go-kart races and off-sites in Tulum, to goldfish pranks that turned into a full aquarium, we work hard and enjoy the ride together. This is a place where you can do your best work, learn a ton, build cool things, and make lifelong friends.Role Type:Full-TimeStart ASAPRole Description:As a Platform Software Engineer, you’ll be working across the full software stack of the robot. You’ll own everything from the sensor integration architecture, to the network prioritization and optimization, to the teleoperation experience of the platform. You’ll ideate and iterate new features that define how our robot is used; determining what creates that critical value and what doesn’t. You’ll help determine how we develop, deploy, and test software in both simulated and real environments; coordinating with electrical and mechanical members whenever you see fit. You’ll own part of the product, and will have the agency to make it what you think aligns best with the vision. And if something is missing, you won’t need to ask - you’ll take what you need and get it done.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Understand system requirements, negotiating against unnecessary ones and translating the ones that remain into final solutionsWork with team and users to design hyper-critical features from the ground up - including high-level architecture and workflowsPrototype, validate, and refine end-to-end features; from sensor integration to networking to SLAM for reconnaissanceDevelop barebones frontends to demonstrate feature utility and user experience conceptsTest features in both lab and simulated environments to ensure reliability and make functional improvementsOptimize features like video streaming for network communications in even low bandwidth environmentsOptimize features for hardware when necessary - be it in compute, data transfer, or memoryDebug complex issues after testing or operation, including those in processing and threadingCollaborate with hardware system owners for integration and issue-resolution.Write essential documentation to communicate design intent, intended framework/SDK use, and post-test recommendations.Make your code readable and useable, but not necessarily a work of art.Stay up to date on users, best practices, and emerging techCommunicate directly with users as necessary to determine engineering direction for specific featuresWho we are looking for:QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's degree preferably in computer science or an engineering discipline1-3+ years of experience developing with hardware, preferably in industryFluent in C/C++, and some fluency in Python or another scripting languageSome familiarity, even if limited, with frontend technologies (HTML, CSS, JS)Base understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design patternsExperience with LinuxUnderstanding of communication buses and protocols (CAN, USB, I2C, Ethernet, etc.)Comfortable using lab instruments (Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)Some experience utilizing open-source libraries for complex tasks like computer visionSome familiarity, even if very limited, of ROS 1/2Developed projects beyond the scripting phase, preferably into some form of production/releasePREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Computational Engineering, or some other engineering5+ years software experience with preferably robotic systemsWorked at a high-growth startupFluent in C/C++, Python, and some frontend development language (JS or some framework, HTML, CSS)Previously worked with ROS 1/2Experience with CV, SLAM, and other perception methodsDeep understanding of LinuxExperience implementing real-time softwareGood knowledge of computer architectureDeep understanding of communication buses and protocols (CAN, USB, I2C, Ethernet, etc.)Comfortable using lab instruments (Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)Experience in networking and wireless communicationsExperience implementing CI/CD infrastructuresExperience with DockerFamiliar with Agile and Test driven developmentStrong entrepreneurial track record being an engineer, founder, or operator at a 0 to 1 startup; able and prepared to support scaling across all aspects of engineering, operations, and businessADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Willing to work long hours, especially when necessary for critical milestonesHands-on in design, coding, testing, and in-field deploymentsEager to implement best practices, and fast to communicate needs and desired process changesWilling to provide feedback to management and team early and oftenWork Environment:Austin, TexasIn-Person (open to remote)Monday - Friday/Saturday (5/6 days a week)40-60+ hours a weekCompensation and Benefits:$100,000-$150,000+ (Depending on experience)0.5%-1.5% EquityHealthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)Unlimited PTORelocation Support OfferedFree meals, swag, and more!