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Aurelius Systems is a VC-backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge-deployed directed energy systems (laser weapons) for counter-UAS applications. The company operates from San Francisco with a manufacturing hub in Detroit and conducts weekly field tests on a private 400-acre range.
In this role, you will work on the Archimedes stack as a Robotics Software Engineer, writing production C++ that transforms raw sensor data into real-time tracking, control, and autonomy systems. Performance and accuracy are paramount. You'll collaborate closely with the Lead Software Engineer and cross-functional teams (mechanical, electrical, optical) to deliver systems that must work reliably in the field.
Key responsibilities:
- Write production C++ across the full stack: sensor ingestion, tracking, control, and autonomy
- Work directly with hardware drivers and raw sensor data (not pre-packaged inputs)
- Own threading, process architecture, and performance optimization on your subsystems
- Conduct timing and latency analysis and implement fixes
- Develop Python tooling for testing, analysis, and range operations
- Debug systems on hardware during weekly field tests
The company operates with extreme bias for action and weekly field testing cycles. Core hours are Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM, with sprint intensity ramping up before demos or field tests. Career velocity is high with direct access to leadership and no middle-management layers.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 2+ years writing production C++ on real hardware or real-time systems
- Comfort working below the abstraction layer: threading, concurrency, memory management, performance profiling
- Proven track record of shipping code you wrote (implementation, not just design)
- Demonstrated ability to learn fast and become effective in new domains within months
- BS, MS, or PhD in CS, EE, Robotics, or equivalent; track record valued over degree
- U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, green card holder, or protected asylee/refugee)
Domain background examples (not required): robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, aerospace, F1/automotive, maritime, embedded systems, compilers, low-level C++ game engines, or 3D simulation.
Nice-to-haves: ROS2, Rust or other systems languages, sensor integration and calibration, real-time Linux, experience with motion planning, dynamics, trajectory optimization, or state estimation.
Not a fit: web/backend/full-stack engineers, those whose C++ is light with primary work in Python, those without full-time role experience, or system designers who don't implement.
