Robotics Middleware Engineer - UAV Systems (m/w/d)

Your mission

Some key points for the position we would need: 

• C++
  • memory management
  • multithreading (executors, callback groups; prefer lock-free where sensible)
  • error/exception handling (contracts, retries, watchdogs)
• ROS 2
  • evaluation and use of different middlewares (CycloneDDS, Fast DDS, Connext)
  • knowledge of data transfer and callback prioritization (QoS, executors, deadlines, liveliness, intra-process)
• Knowledge of other robotics frameworks (ROS 1, DDS native or custom solution, GStreamer, LCM/LCMS, ZeroMQ, etc.)
• NVIDIA Jetson
  • memory management (CPU/GPU, pinned memory, zero-copy)
  • HW accelerators (CUDA/TensorRT/VPI — orchestrating data flows)
  • sensor acquisition interfaces (CSI/MIPI, USB3, Ethernet, CAN, SPI)

Your mission will be several parts of:

• Design,  build , and  harden  the ROS 2 middleware  layer : message schemas, QoS profiles, routing, callback prioritization, dedicated executors by criticality.
• Make  data move  reliably   from   sensors  → fusion/ perception  → planning/ actuation : time sync (PTP/NTP), timestamps, clean frames/TF, rosbag replay for debugging.
• Realize  a  modular  and extensible  sensor  I/O & fusion  framework : drivers/bridges, message conversions, composable pipelines.
• Integrate  hardware components  on  Jetson / ARM : bring-up GNSS/IMU/cameras/LiDAR/radar, tune I/O buses (CSI/USB/Ethernet), manage power/thermals.
• Liaise   with  computer-vision and  acoustics   experts : expose stable interfaces, define latency budgets, and service contracts (topics, rates, QoS).
• Evaluate  and select middleware options  (DDS, transports, codecs, HW acceleration) under latency and reliability constraints.
• Keep   track  of the ROS 2/middleware  ecosystem  & best practices (executors, tracing, security, observability) and drive continuous improvements.
• Ensure consistently high quality of the overall detection & tracking pipeline: via end-to-end integration tests, embedded CI/CD, metrics, and alerting.

What you’ll work with

• ROS 2 (rclcpp, lifecycle, rosbag2, tracing), DDS (QoS profiles), C++17/20
• Jetson Orin/Xavier, CUDA/TensorRT, V4L2/GStreamer
• Embedded Linux, colcon, Docker/Podman, Git (PRs/reviews), CI/CD

Nice to have

• RT-preempt, cgroups/CPU pinning, DDS Security, GMSL/MIPI bring-up, CAN/UDP custom protocols
• Exposure to PX4/ArduPilot/MAVLink for autopilot interfacing (optional)

Your profile

• University degree in Computer Science, Informatics, Math, Physics, etc...
• Relevant experience with C++
  • Interesting framworks are for example: EIgen, Ceres, GTSAM
  • Rust is a bonus
  • Also great to have ROS(2), OpenCV
• Intrinsic motivation, willing to go the extra mile, attention to detail
• Outside of the box creativity, conceptional & systematic design thinking
• Fluent in English or German
• Nationality of a NATO member nation or close ally is a must
• Successful candidates will be required to obtain security clearance

Why us?

Do you feel that you fit the description, but don't think you fulfill all the criteria 100%? Apply to us anyway. 
We look forward to receiving your detailed application via our online form. 

The world is changing. Exponential technologies are enabling new types of security threats. We are committed to staying ahead by building nimble, scalable, and cost-effective defences. We are looking for passionate developers who are eager to create exceptional products, safeguard our freedom, and strengthen the resilience of democracies.

About us

Who we are: Autonomous Teaming is a defence-tech start-up specializing in machine vision solutions. Driven by cutting-edge innovation, our team works on next-generation technologies designed to meet rapidly evolving security challenges.

What we do: We develop systems that enable computers and sensors to operate as coordinated teams, collaborating in real time to counter AI-powered asymmetric threats at scale — including drone swarms and other UXVs. Our mission is to build resilient, intelligent defence capabilities that perform reliably in the most demanding environments.

Who we are: Based in Munich, Berlin, and Toulouse, we are expanding rapidly across Europe with plans to open additional office hubs. We value close, in-person collaboration as the foundation for building complex, high-impact technology, while maintaining flexibility aligned to role and team needs. Our culture is built on ownership, responsibility, and trust — with a shared commitment to growing and building together.