What are the responsibilities and job description for the Founding Robotics Engineer - Counter UAS position at Approach Venture?
Founding Robotics Engineer – Own the Autonomy Stack for Next-Generation Tactical Robotics!
Austin, TX | Onsite
Opportunity Summary
A rapidly growing, well-funded early-stage robotics company is developing autonomous ground systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats. The team is transitioning from prototype to production, building out its core engineering functions and expanding testing capabilities. As the Founding Robotics Engineer, you will take full ownership of the autonomy stack, spanning perception, control, embedded software, and sensor integration. This is a rare opportunity to shape architecture, drive hands-on development, and see your work tested in real-world environments. You will help define the company’s technical foundation while playing a central role in building one of the most advanced robotic systems in defense.
About Us
We are a venture-backed robotics startup creating real-world autonomy solutions for defense and security applications. Our founders are industry veterans with deep expertise in AI, autonomy, and fielded robotic systems. With new lab facilities, active prototypes, and a mission-driven culture, we move fast, iterate quickly, and validate often. The team thrives in a collaborative, hardware-first environment where innovation meets execution and ideas transition rapidly into field-tested capability.
Job Duties
$120,000 - $200,000
Austin, TX | Onsite
Opportunity Summary
A rapidly growing, well-funded early-stage robotics company is developing autonomous ground systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats. The team is transitioning from prototype to production, building out its core engineering functions and expanding testing capabilities. As the Founding Robotics Engineer, you will take full ownership of the autonomy stack, spanning perception, control, embedded software, and sensor integration. This is a rare opportunity to shape architecture, drive hands-on development, and see your work tested in real-world environments. You will help define the company’s technical foundation while playing a central role in building one of the most advanced robotic systems in defense.
About Us
We are a venture-backed robotics startup creating real-world autonomy solutions for defense and security applications. Our founders are industry veterans with deep expertise in AI, autonomy, and fielded robotic systems. With new lab facilities, active prototypes, and a mission-driven culture, we move fast, iterate quickly, and validate often. The team thrives in a collaborative, hardware-first environment where innovation meets execution and ideas transition rapidly into field-tested capability.
Job Duties
- Architect and implement autonomy software covering perception, control, and embedded integration
- Design, test, and integrate multi-sensor systems (IMUs, cameras, encoders) for high-accuracy state estimation
- Develop and tune control algorithms (PID, MPC, or similar) for electromechanical systems
- Write and optimize firmware in C or Rust for real-time operation, motion, and communications
- Create Python-based tools for testing, calibration, visualization, and automation
- Lead iterative field testing campaigns to validate control and perception performance
- Debug across software, hardware, and mechanical interfaces to drive rapid improvement
- Collaborate cross-functionally with specialists in AI/ML, perception, and embedded hardware
- Build scalable, modular architectures for high-performance robotics platforms
- 5 years of experience developing robotic platforms, embedded systems, or real-time control software
- Proficiency in modern C and Python
- Deep understanding of sensor fusion, motion control, and electromechanical systems
- Hands-on experience with RTOS environments such as Jetson or STM32
- Familiarity with communication protocols like CAN, UART, and SPI
- Proven ability to debug at both hardware and software levels
- Comfortable in fast-moving, resource-constrained startup environments
- Rust for embedded applications
- ROS2, DDS, or equivalent real-time middleware
- Model-predictive or adaptive control implementation
- GPU programming (CUDA) or parallel compute environments
- PCB design exposure or EMI/EMC systems knowledge
- Understanding of distributed computing or CI/CD workflows
- Experience with ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) or advanced robotics simulation
- Play a founding-team role with significant technical ownership and impact
- Partner directly with leadership to shape the company’s direction and roadmap
- Contribute across the full stack including hardware, firmware, autonomy, and perception
- Build technology that directly addresses critical national defense challenges
- Work in a fast-paced, prototype-driven environment with frequent field validation
- Competitive compensation with early equity and long-term growth opportunity
- Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates
$120,000 - $200,000
Salary : $120,000 - $200,000