Develop and deploy autonomy software for UAVs operating in GPS-denied environments. Responsibilities include SLAM, localization, mapping, sensor fusion, perception, path planning, obstacle avoidance, mission execution, fault recovery, simulation, testing, embedded performance optimization, and fleet diagnostics. The role requires field deployment on real robotic systems, cross-functional system-level problem solving, and ownership of autonomy architecture and roadmap.
Full-time, exempt
Boston, Massachusetts
On-site, five days per week
Reports to the CTO
ABOUT US
Cleo Robotics builds unconventional autonomous robotic systems designed to operate in the world’s most challenging and inaccessible environments. Our mission is to deploy intelligent machines into critical environments to improve operational efficiency, reduce unplanned downtime, and keep people out of harm’s way. Our technology is used across industries including energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, public safety, and defense. We’re a growing team of experts in robotics and autonomous systems with diverse backgrounds and skills. We value making an impact, thinking big, leading with empathy, and having fun along the way.
If you get excited about solving big problems and building robots straight from science fiction, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment, this role might be for you!
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a Robotics Autonomy Engineer to work on cutting-edge intelligence and autonomy features for our Dronut UAV platforms. Responsibilities of the role include the development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence and autonomy algorithms which will enable Dronut to navigate in previously unknown GPS-denied environments. You will use various sensors such as 3D LiDAR, IMU, and cameras to estimate the pose of the Dronut, and create path planning subroutines in order to accomplish a given objective or task.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Own and advance Cleo’s autonomy stack across localization, mapping, state estimation, sensor fusion, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and mission execution
- Work across autonomy, perception, sensors, flight controls, and vehicle dynamics to solve system-level problems and optimize real-time performance
- Develop and harden visual-inertial and LiDAR-based SLAM, multi-sensor fusion, sensor calibration, relocalization, drift management, and map persistence
- Develop perception and reactive autonomy for obstacle detection, free-space understanding, dynamic replanning, and safe navigation through changing and unpredictable environments
- Build autonomous behaviors including path following, mission execution, data collection, health monitoring, fault detection, redundancy, graceful degradation, recovery, and safe return behaviors
- Take cutting-edge robotics research and turn it into reliable product capability on compute-constrained edge hardware
- Optimize the full stack for onboard compute: profile and tune C/C++ for real-time performance within strict latency, memory, compute, power, and thermal budgets on embedded edge hardware
- Build and improve simulation, log replay, automated testing, regression benchmarks, telemetry, CI/CD, deployment, and fleet diagnostics to support reliable autonomy across a growing fleet and multiple hardware configurations
- Own real-world autonomy performance through bench and field testing, flight-log analysis, root-cause debugging, and rapid product iteration
- Help define Cleo’s autonomy architecture and roadmap while operating with significant independence and ownership
WHAT YOU BRING
- Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field
- Master's degree in Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Controls, or Computer Vision is a plus
- 3–5 years of professional experience developing autonomy, localization, state estimation, navigation, and/or flight software for robots, UAVs, autonomous vehicles, or similarly complex physical systems or equivalent demonstrated technical depth
- Proven experience deploying autonomy software on real robotic systems in the field, not just simulations or research prototypes
- Strong hands-on experience with visual odometry, VIO, 3D mapping, sensor fusion, and SLAM, including EKF-based estimation, calibration, and time synchronization.
- Practical experience with perception, obstacle detection, motion and path planning, trajectory generation or optimization, and map representations such as occupancy grids, octrees, etc
- Strong software engineering fundamentals with deep proficiency in C++ and C, and a strong proficiency in Python. Experience with flight control software or embedded systems is highly valuable
- Able to take ideas from cutting-edge robotics research and turn them into robust capabilities on compute-constrained edge hardware, with experience on embedded Linux and SoCs such as Qualcomm Snapdragon or NVIDIA Jetson, including profiling and optimization using GPU, or DSP acceleration to meet real-time performance, latency, memory, power, and compute constraints
- Uses AI tools as a core part of their daily engineering workflow to accelerate development, debugging, testing, data analysis, research, and evaluation of new approaches while maintaining strong technical judgment and ownership
- Strong ownership mentality and ability to work independently, taking ambiguous technical problems from definition through implementation, testing, and deployment with limited supervision
- Experience with ROS2, Linux, Git, Docker, and modern software practices. Experience with deployed fleets, including telemetry, fleet diagnostics, hardware compatibility, and long-term maintainability, is a strong plus
- Communicates technical concepts, risks, and tradeoffs clearly; collaborates effectively across teams; and gives and receives technical feedback constructively.
BONUS POINTS
- Experience with UAV flight stacks and multirotor control — PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, offboard control, attitude and position control loops
- Simulation and SIL/HIL experience with Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, or comparable, including closing the sim-to-real gap
- Experience mentoring engineers or leading a small technical team
WHAT WE OFFER
- The opportunity to build autonomy that moves beyond simulation and operates on real robots in challenging, mission-critical environments
- Meaningful ownership of a core product capability, with the ability to influence Cleo’s autonomy architecture, technical direction, and roadmap
- A high-impact role on a small, talented team where your ideas can move rapidly from development to real-world deployment
- The opportunity to expand your technical scope, take on greater ownership, and grow alongside the company
- Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance
- Equity for every new hire, giving everyone the opportunity to share in Cleo’s growth
- Flexible paid time off and company holidays
- A collaborative, energetic workplace with a fully stocked kitchen and regular team gatherings
Cleo Robotics Boston, Massachusetts, USA Office
Boston, MA, United States, 02210
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