Job Description

Job Title: Director of Software – Autonomy for Ground Vehicles

Location: Remote/On-site (Airwai HQ)

Reports to: Vice President of Technology

Company Overview:

Airwai is an innovative robotics startup focused on transforming the landscape of autonomous ground vehicles, with a particular focus on FOD detection and cleanup for military and commercial use.

Job Overview:

We are looking for a hands-on Director of Software – Autonomy for Ground Vehicles to lead the development of core autonomy features, including perception, controls, navigation, and mission execution for our robotic ground vehicles. This is a deeply technical, roll-up-your-sleeves role where you'll be writing production code, architecting systems, and working closely with hardware and software engineers to bring our autonomy stack to life. You’ll report directly to the VP of Technology and play a pivotal role in building a software foundation that is robust, scalable, and field-ready for real-world deployment.

Key Responsibilities:

Core Software Development

• Design and implement software systems for autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and mission planning.
• Develop perception and control algorithms using sensor data (LIDAR, GPS/RTK, cameras, radar, etc.).
• Integrate autonomy modules into the overall robotics system using ROS2 and other middleware.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code in C++ and Python.

System Integration & Testing

• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and firmware teams to ensure seamless integration between hardware and software.
• Own field testing cycles, including building test infrastructure, debugging on hardware, and validating performance in real-world conditions.
• Prioritize safety and robustness in all aspects of software deployment.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as the technical lead on autonomy, guiding architectural decisions and software design.
• Mentor junior engineers and help establish best practices in software development, testing, and deployment.
• Collaborate with the VP of Technology on building out the autonomy roadmap and core team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in robotics software development, with hands-on contributions to autonomy and/or navigation systems.
• Strong expertise in C++ and Python development in a Linux environment.
• Deep understanding of robotic perception, control, SLAM, and planning.
• Experience with ROS/ROS2, Gazebo or other simulation tools, and hardware bring-up.
• Comfortable working in startup environments with fast iteration and evolving requirements

Bonus Skills:

• Experience with deploying robotics in outdoor, GPS-denied, or harsh environments.
• Familiarity with embedded systems, real-time systems, and hardware interfaces.
• Background in AI/ML for robotics applications (e.g., object detection, anomaly detection).
• Prior experience in defense, logistics, or infrastructure-focused robotics.

Airwai is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws

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