Lead Robotics Engineer

Darkhive is making robotics accessible. Established in 2021, we are focused on the application of robotics in the public safety and defense communities. Our approach in accessibility is built on three pillars: low-cost, ease-of-use, and open interface design.   

With our autonomy software stack, military and public safety users intuitively interact with our robotics platforms which enable them to understand their environment and make decisions when it matters most.  Our palm-sized, autonomous drone demonstrates the capabilities of our integrated software and hardware solutions. 

Darkhive is a growing group of U.S. Special Operations veterans, aerospace engineers, robotics perception experts, DevSecOps, defense technology executives, and superb support staff-above all, we are mission first team.  We believe that the U.S. and our allies around the world deserve high-quality, affordable tools that keep them safe when each second counts.  

If you are a free-thinking problem solver who is looking for a highly collaborative and innovative environment, apply with Darkhive today! 

The Lead Robotics Engineer Role:

You will solve challenging autonomy problems in small aerial robotics including the design and testing of algorithms for navigation, tracking, and stabilization of our platforms. You will develop and validate models within simulations within a variety of representative environments to improve navigation performance in GNSS-denied situations. As an early hire, your purview will span software interfaces, operating system, algorithm development, simulation, and optimization to help our autonomous systems navigate reliably in difficult situations. If you have wanted to make sure the "right" system is developed for next-level sUAS autonomy, come help us build a vision of making robots safe, easy, and affordable performing real tasks for their human counterparts.

Requirements

Qualifications you bring:

• Strong experience in C/C++, with a focus on planning and navigation ideally 8+ years of industry experience
• Bachelors or more in Robotics, Software Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or similar.
• Experience developing navigation algorithms for small platforms in GPS-denied environments.
• Experience with developing for mobile/embedded platforms such as NVIDIA XavierNX, Qualcomm Snapdragon, or Intel Neural Compute Stick (Movidius).
• Experience with navigtation problems and translating them to embedded/edge environments.
• US. Citizenship

Bonus Qualifications:

• Previous software development on a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
• Familiarity with ROS/2 or PX4 a plus.
• Familiarity with GTSAM or factor graphs a plus.
• Familiarity with simulation platforms such as Gazebo, Airsim, ISAAC, etc.
• Real-time, critical software development where latency matters.
• Python experience a plus.
• An active security clearance (this is not a requirement for the position).

Selection Process: 

• Hiring team reviews applications 

• 30-minute phone screen with the hiring manager 

• Take home project  

• In-person or video interview with hiring team 

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plans; 2 plans are 100% employer paid insurance premiums 
• 100% employer paid dental and vision insurance premiums 
• Automatic 401k employer contribution with immediate vesting 
• Unlimited vacation 
• Paid holidays 
• Welcoming and friendly work environment 
• Respect of work-life balance 

Darkhive is an equal-opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant because of race, color, gender (including pregnancy), age, gender identity, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Darkhive is building a new generation of US-produced autonomous drones designed to be scalable in cost, deployment, and management.