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Salary: USD 100,000 - 200,000 / annual
Applied Intuition is scaling its defense product ecosystem and seeking backend C++ engineers to work on Axion and Acuity, flagship autonomy products for multi-domain defense operations. This is a core engineering role—not maintenance—where you'll architect and own high-performance backend systems that power autonomous platforms in contested and degraded environments.
You'll design and implement scalable, reliable infrastructure in C++ that enables unmanned ground and aerial systems, as well as broader joint-force integration scenarios. The role involves tackling hard autonomy challenges at the intersection of commercial technology velocity and defense-grade requirements. You'll own end-to-end execution from architecture through deployment, partnering closely with autonomy researchers, product teams, and defense customers to translate mission requirements into robust solutions.
The Ann Arbor team is rapidly expanding, and you'll help shape team culture, technical standards, and engineering practices as the site scales. You'll interface directly with DOD programs and defense customers to ensure solutions meet real-world operational demands.
Required qualifications include professional software engineering experience with strong C++ fundamentals, deep backend engineering knowledge (systems programming, concurrency, performance optimization, distributed systems), and genuine interest in autonomy, robotics, or physical AI. You should have a strong CS/CE/EE foundation, Python proficiency for tooling and scripting, and the ability to thrive in ambiguity while driving clarity in fast-moving, high-stakes environments. Excellent communication skills are essential for explaining technical tradeoffs to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
Security requirements: U.S. Citizen status and eligibility for or current hold of a U.S. Secret security clearance are mandatory. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale with offices globally, and operates on a primarily in-office model (5 days/week) with flexibility for occasional remote work.
