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Applied Intuition is a $15B-valued AI infrastructure company founded in 2017, powering physical AI across automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining, and agriculture. The company serves 18 of the top 20 global automakers and the U.S. military with tools, operating systems, and autonomy solutions.
You will join the rapidly scaling Ann Arbor defense product team as a core backend C++ engineer, contributing to Axion and Acuity—flagship defense autonomy products. This is a high-ownership role where you architect and implement foundational systems operating at the edge of technical possibility in real-world, high-stakes environments.
Key responsibilities:
- Design and implement high-performance C++ backend systems for multi-domain autonomous operations
- Tackle hard autonomy challenges across unmanned ground/aerial platforms and joint-force integration
- Build scalable, reliable infrastructure for autonomous systems in contested and degraded conditions
- Partner with autonomy researchers, product teams, and defense customers to translate mission requirements into robust solutions
- Own end-to-end execution from architecture through deployment
- Contribute to Ann Arbor site buildout, shaping team culture and technical standards
- Interface with DOD programs and defense customers on operational requirements
The A2 team sits at the intersection of Applied's commercial technology velocity and defense-grade requirements, giving you access to a rapidly evolving product suite and direct impact on national security.
Requirements:
- Professional software engineering experience with strong C++ as core competency
- Deep backend engineering fundamentals: systems programming, concurrency, performance optimization, distributed systems
- Genuine interest in autonomy, robotics, or physical AI
- Exposure to or curiosity about multi-domain defense systems (defense background not required)
- Strong CS/CE/EE or similar foundation; rigorous thinking about correctness and performance
- Python proficiency for tooling, scripting, and integration
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity and drive clarity in fast-moving, high-stakes environments
- Excellent communication skills; ability to explain technical tradeoffs to engineers and non-technical stakeholders
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance
