Senior Software Engineer - Autonomy (full-time)

We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer - Autonomy to help develop and deliver high level autonomy capabilities across the Kraken fleet of autonomous vehicles.

This is a hands on, R&D focused role working across vessel guidance, mission frameworks and behaviours, obstacle avoidance, and other advanced autonomy features, including modern AI techniques where appropriate. You'll be involved from early experimentation through to deploying reliable, mission-critical software on real vehicles.

You'll be comfortable working across R&D, prototyping and production, taking ownership of your work while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary engineering team.

What you'll be doing

Your work will be varied, challenging and impactful, and will include:

• Developing and implementing high level autonomous behaviours for unmanned vehicles
• Designing and optimising algorithms for obstacle avoidance, path planning and mission level autonomy
• Working extensively with ROS2, DDS and Linux-based systems to build robust autonomy software
• Collaborating with perception, navigation and hardware engineers to integrate autonomy solutions
• Writing clean, maintainable and well-documented code in C++ and Python
• Testing and validating autonomy software in both simulation and real world environments
• Taking ownership of assigned work packages, tracking progress and raising risks or blockers
• Balancing R&D experimentation with production quality software delivery and optimisation

Do you have experience in Unreal Engine?, * Strong, hands on experience with C++ and Python

• A good understanding of autonomous systems (motion planning, state estimation, behaviour-based control, etc.)
• Experience working in Linux environments, including debugging and performance tuning
• Knowledge of real time systems, distributed computing and middleware communication
• Experience developing and deploying software in both R&D and production environments
• A practical, problem solving mindset with the ability to iterate and improve autonomy algorithms
• Clear verbal and written communication skills

Nice to have (but not essential)

• Experience with ROS / ROS2 and/or DDS
• Exposure to sensor fusion (LiDAR, RADAR, cameras, IMUs)
• Awareness of deep learning based perception approaches
• Experience with simulation tools such as Gazebo, CARLA or Unreal Engine
• Familiarity with real-time or embedded systems
• Experience with cloud robotics, Docker and/or Kubernetes
• Knowledge of PX4 and MAVLink
• Background in defence, aerospace or maritime autonomy, * Can you evidence five years' continuous residency in the UK?
• What are your salary expectations and notice period?
• Can you evidence strong, hands on experience with C++ and Python, including software architecture and algorithms?
• Can you evidence a good understanding of autonomous systems (motion planning, state estimation, behaviour based control, etc?

Language:

• Fluent English (required)

You'll be working on real autonomy problems, with real vehicles, alongside a collaborative and technically strong team. We value curiosity, thoughtful engineering and giving people the space to do their best work, whether that's exploring new ideas or delivering rock-solid production systems.

If autonomy excites you and you enjoy solving complex problems that matter, we'd love to hear from you.

What we provide:

· 25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday

· Flexi working

· Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover

· Pension scheme with a 4% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level

· Life assurance 3x salary

· Group Income Protection

· Health Care Cash Plan

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support

· Professional membership reimbursement (discretionary), * Bereavement leave

• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Flexitime
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay