Principal Robotics Engineer - Autonomy & Behavior

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a Principal Robotics Engineer to set the technical direction for how our robots make decisions. Today, much of that logic sits in handwritten C++. You will move it into behavior trees or a similar formal model, so that a reader can follow and test a flight from a file. You will also define how these models request flight skills from the autopilot, and you will make the stack reusable on a second robot. This is a technical authority role with no people to manage. You will join an autonomy team of five engineers, report to the Team Lead Autonomy, and work closely with our Principal Systems Engineer. We want a strong robotics generalist with deep C++ skills and real depth in at least one area: state estimation, motion planning, control, or perception.

The day-to-day

• Own the behavior layer: design the nodes, the ports, and the structure that makesa flight readableand testableas data rather thanas code.
• Move the remaining flight authorityout of hand-written logicand intothe tree, and prove thatthe new path behaveslike the old one before we deletethe old one.
• Define howthe companion computer asksthe autopilotfor a flight skill, and howit readsback whether that skill is running, finished, or refused.
• Draw the line between what is shared across robotsand what each robot writesfor itself, so thata second platform reusesthe stack insteadof forkingit.
• Make failures legible: a log and a trace should tella reader whichcheck said no, and why.
• Work acrossthe autonomy, perception, platform, and testing teams, sincethe behavior layer touchesall of them.
• Raise the technicalbar: design reviews, code reviews, and the written arguments thatgo with them.
• Mentor engineers, without holdinga management line.

You should apply if you

• Have around 5 years or more of robotics software experience. Leadership experience is not required.
• Have deep C++ expertise, and the judgment to design a system that other people will extend.
• Have real experience with behavior trees, or with another explicit way of expressing robot behavior, and clear opinions about where that approach breaks.
• Have a breadth of knowledge across robotics: state estimation, motion planning, control, or perception. Depth in at least one of them.
• Have Experience withrobotsthatrunin the physicalworld, not onlyin simulation.
• Possess the ability to take a design apart in a discussion and put it back together bette

Nice to haves

• Experience withBehaviorTree.CPP ora comparablebehaviortreelibrary, includingtoolingaroundit.
• Experience withROS 2, DDS, and the design questionsthatcomewitha distributedroboticssystem.
• Experience withPX4, ArduPilot, orMAVLink, and withthe splitof workbetweenan autopilotand a companioncomputer.
• Experience withdronesorotheraircraft.
• Experience withsimulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, orreplay-basedtesting.
• Experience makinga roboticsstackworkfor morethanoneplatform.
• Open source contributionsin robotics.
• Strong writtencommunication. Wewriteourargumentsdown.
• Strong writtenand spoken English. German isa plus.

What we offer

Real impact & ownership: Shape high-tech defense systems and take responsibility from day one

Mission-driven environment: Work on technologies that matter for European security and sovereignty

Competitive package: Competitive salary, EGYM Wellpass, corporate benefits, and equity options aligned with role and level

Deep tech environment: Get hands-on experience with cutting-edge drone technology and real operational use cases

Grow fast: Steep learning curve for juniors, strategic influence and leadership opportunities for seniors

Startup mindset meets defence innovation: flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas.

Flexibility: Flexible hours, remote options, and relocation support

Strong team: International, driven colleagues and a culture built on exchange, trust, and shared success