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Robotics Systems Engineer

In Person (San Francisco, CA)
Full Time
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Location:
San Francisco, CA

About Aurelius Systems

Aurelius Systems is a defense technology company specializing in counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) solutions. The company has developed a laser-based defense system called “Archimedes” designed to detect and neutralize hostile drones on the battlefield.

Aurelius Systems is an innovator in the growing counter-drone defense sector, with a focus on military applications. Their technology addresses the increasing threat of hostile drone activity in conflict zones through a scalable, cost-effective solution that can be deployed across various environments.

Archimedes Laser Defense System

Aurelius’ flagship product is Archimedes, the first cost-effective, highly modular laser defense system offering configurations for various battlefield environments.

Citizens and permanent residents only - we do not sponsor and cannot hire non-citizens or PRs.  We work 6 days a week in the office in downtown San Francisco, no remote available. 

What is Aurelius Systems?

Aurelius Systems is a directed energy company developing edge-deployed laser systems for cUAS applications. We shoot down drones with laser guns.

Why?

The US and our allies have prepared for a world where we will be fighting increasingly large and sophisticated systems (Planes, Aircraft carriers, etc), but this world never came. The future of warfare will involve large numbers of small-scale and mass-manufacturable drones, and we aren’t prepared to defend our country from these threats abroad or domestically. Aurelius Systems has set out to address this problem by equipping the US and our allies with the systems they need to fight current and future conflicts in a scalable and cost-effective manner.

Role Overview

We are seeking several multidisciplinary Robotics Systems Engineers to own the design, development, and integration of embedded electronics, ruggedized hardware, and real-time perception systems for field-deployed laser defense platforms. You will bridge embedded firmware, thermal-mechanical design, and multi-sensor perception pipelines to deliver robust, production-ready systems. Our engineers are highly hands-on spanning concept through deployment, requiring a bias toward iterative prototyping, rigorous testing, and seamless cross-functional collaboration. We are seeking engineers who thrive at the intersection of embedded systems, hardware, and AI perception.

Key Responsibilities

Embedded & Firmware Development 
  • Develop, test, and maintain firmware for controllers, drivers, and multi-modal sensors (IMU, LiDAR, cameras, thermal).
  • Implement real-time control and low-latency sensor acquisition pipelines.
  • Design and validate custom embedded PCBs, ensuring EMI/EMC compliance and MIL-STD readiness.
Perception & Sensor Fusion 
  • Architect, train, and deploy ML/CV models for detection, classification, and tracking on edge hardware (GPU/FPGA).
  • Integrate and fuse data from RGB, thermal, LiDAR/ToF, and IMUs to enable robust perception in dynamic environments.
  • Optimize inference frameworks for ≥500 Hz real-time performance.
Hardware & Thermal Systems 
  • Lead thermal and structural design for high-power laser systems, using FEA, CFD, and rapid prototyping methods.
  • Validate hardware robustness via vibration, shock, and environmental testing.
  • Select and qualify materials (metals, composites, polymers) for thermal and EMI performance.
Prototype, Test & Integration 
  • Build, assemble, and test prototypes across embedded, hardware, and perception domains.
  • Drive end-to-end system integration in close partnership with optics, robotics, and controls teams.
  • Execute design-for-manufacturability (DFM) reviews, ensuring efficient and reliable production.
Data, Diagnostics & Compliance 
  • Build scalable data ingestion and labeling pipelines for training and validation.
  • Develop monitoring dashboards for perception accuracy, hardware health, and system drift.
  • Ensure designs and documentation comply with ITAR, MIL-STD, and defense-grade reliability standards.
Qualifications 
  • Experience: 3–8 years across embedded systems, hardware/mechanical design, and/or perception engineering (defense, aerospace, or robotics preferred).
  • Technical Skills: 
    • Embedded C/C++, Python, RTOS, ROS2, FPGA/VHDL/Verilog.
    • CAD (SolidWorks, Creo), FEA/thermal tools (ANSYS, COMSOL).
    • ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow), inference engines (TensorRT, OpenVINO).
    • Hands-on with CNC, additive, and rapid prototyping methods.
  • Education: BS/MS in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or Robotics Engineering (PhD a plus).
  • Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability; extreme bias for action.
Nice-to-Haves 
  • Edge-AI optimization (quantization, pruning).
  • Experience with ruggedized systems in harsh environments. ● Familiarity with cybersecurity guidelines for embedded/AI systems. ● Active security clearance.
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