Software Engineer, Network and Teleoperation

Company background

Swarmbotics AI is a low-cost, swarm robotics company for industry and defense.  We see a world of ubiquitous low-cost robots transforming almost all aspects of society, but we see an urgent need in the defense industry.  We focus on building swarms of robots that incorporate a low-cost BOM, an autonomous stack optimized for off the shelf components, and a global planner that enables swarm capabilities for groups of robots to accomplish sophisticated tasks.  

Our first product is a defense application building Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), collectively termed - Attritable, Networked, Tactical Swarm (ANTS).  Each UGV in ANTS is an independently-tasked, attritable robot designed for on-demand and autonomous mobility.  When operating as a swarm, ANTS is capable of executing more advanced and coordinated, high-level capabilities across a battlespace.  ANTS will help solve some of the DoD’s biggest problems that will save lives and increase defense capabilities.

Stephen Houghton and Drew Watson are the Founders and have decades of experience in self-driving cars and trucks, humanoids, and UAVs with experience from NASA, JPL, Cruise, Embark, McKinsey, Amazon, and the CIA.  

Job description

Swarmbotics is on the forefront of deploying unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) swarms for defense applications and is seeking a highly skilled Software Engineer experienced with teleoperation and networking to join our dynamic team. This role is critical in designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining our network software, to include the critical low-latency video streaming and command-and-control implementation required for teleoperation of our robot swarm beyond line of sight. You'll be building redundant connectivity solutions to ensure our warfighters never lose network connection to their robot swarms. Experience with a variety of network software and hardware is helpful as we implement resilient approaches to managing all types of mesh radio connections, mobile satellite communication, and 5G connections -- all over secure VPNs to ensure robust and low-latency communication across our large-scale robotic swarms. The selected candidate will a tremendous impact on the network implementation for one of the world's first large-scale ground robot swarm.

Required qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing software solutions for reliable connectivity for robot teleoperation, particularly as it relates to hot failover functionality across multiple redundant communication links.
• Experience configuring and optimizing video and command-and-control data streams to ensure a responsive user experience.
• Experience implement tracking metrics to monitor throughput and latency performance across our robot swarms.
• Experience making information network design decisions based on networking fundamentals (TCP, UDP, routing, NAT traversal) using first-hand experience with 5G, Starlink, VPNs, and/or mesh radios.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ / Python with experience developing network-focused connectivity solutions.
• Familiarity with video streaming concepts, codecs, and performance optimization techniques.
• Experience with Linux-based network implementations.
• Comfortable working in the high-paced, fluid environment of a tech startup.
• Excited to contribute to the defense of the United States and its allies.
• Able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance.
• Ability to work onsite in Phoenix, AZ area.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with Network implementations within Android and Windows desktop environments.
• Experience with unmanned ground vehicles or robotic swarms.
• Experience with Starlink, 5G modems, and/or MANET radios.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position.  Swarmbotics is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, caste, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position. Swarmbotics is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, caste, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law.