Robotics Systems Engineer

About Quartermaster

At Quartermaster AI, we believe the ocean should be a safe and sustainably managed resource for all. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and robotics, we unlock capabilities that were only recently impossible. Our distributed open-ocean systems enable every vessel to sense, compute, and communicate, enhancing maritime domain awareness for those who need it most.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Quartermaster AI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply and join us in shaping the future of defense technology. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Robotics Engineer to build and maintain the software infrastructure that powers our Smartmast platform—a distributed edge system designed for intelligent sensing and autonomous maritime operations. In this role, you will develop the software that orchestrates hardware components including cameras, GPS, IMUs, SDRs, radar, and subsea acoustic sensors. You may be responsible for robotic control of cameras, automated tracking/stabilization, reliable data collection, efficient inter-process communication, artifact delivery to the cloud, and bandwidth-aware optimizations for long-range deployments. This role spans from hardware-near ROS development to cloud messaging, and is ideal for an engineer with experience shipping real-time systems that must remain robust in harsh and remote environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain system software responsible for sensor control, data capture, and stream management across a variety of hardware types.
• Extend our inter-process messaging frameworks using ROS2.
• Optimize network utilization and compression strategies to ensure artifact delivery over constrained uplinks (e.g., satellite).
• Integrate and synchronize inputs from GPS, IMU, radar, lidar, acoustic, and other sensors to provide structured outputs for downstream perception and tracking.
• Build and maintain software modules for managing and configuring peripherals, including SDRs, cameras, and other edge devices.
• Collaborate with AI and backend teams to define data formats, delivery schedules, and observability hooks for remote model and sensor performance.
• Develop tools for local testing, diagnostics, and system-level monitoring of Smartmast units in the field.
• Contribute to performance tuning, process reliability, and logging systems to support unattended long-duration operation.

Qualifications (Preferred):

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience developing production-quality robotics, embedded, or distributed systems software.
• Strong proficiency in Python and C++, with experience working in Linux-based environments.
• Hands-on experience with ROS2 or similar middleware communication frameworks.
• Familiarity with sensor integration and data handling for GPS, IMU, radar, lidar, or acoustic systems.
• Knowledge of networking, message serialization, compression, and constrained-bandwidth communication strategies.
• Experience working on systems deployed in field environments with intermittent connectivity or limited compute resources.
• Excellent debugging, testing, and documentation practices for distributed software
• Bonus: Experience with SDR programming, marine or aerospace deployments, or high-reliability IoT systems.

Work Environment:

• This is a remote position with collaboration via online tools.
• Flexible working hours with occasional deadlines requiring high availability.
• Opportunity to work on innovative projects with a global impact.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Flexible work hours and the option for remote work.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued education.

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