Founding Engineer – Embedded Robotics Sensing

San Francisco, CA (On-site) | $180k - $210k base + 0.50% - 1.50% equity

A cutting-edge robotics company is seeking a Founding Engineer – Embedded Robotics Sensing to lead the development of its Micro Visual Positioning System (VPS). This technology enables drones to determine location using computer vision rather than GPS, achieving high-accuracy positioning over any flight distance. The system integrates seamlessly with existing airframes, addressing critical challenges in autonomous drone navigation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and optimization of a vision-based navigation system for large drone fleets.

• Design, test, and implement embedded software with a focus on robotics and computer vision.

• Make key system architecture decisions, balancing risk, lead time, and cost.

• Collaborate with vendors to integrate hardware components with software systems.

• Oversee fleet management strategies and quality assurance for large-scale deployments.

Requirements:

• 4+ years of experience in embedded hardware, with 2+ years working on systems involving cameras and Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO).

• Proven expertise in designing and implementing embedded SLAM architectures or VIO systems for commercial products.

• 4-6 years of experience in visual robotics sensing, particularly with camera-based systems.

• Hands-on experience with drones or autonomous aerial vehicles.

• Previous experience at a startup or working on early-stage product development.

Why This Role?

This is a high-impact opportunity to join as a Founding Engineer, taking full ownership of core product development and helping shape the future of the company. The role provides significant equity and direct involvement in a fast-scaling robotics platform with real-world impact.