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Robotics Software Engineer - Construction

Job Description:

 

The Robotics Software Engineer is responsible for developing and deploying autonomous robotics solutions that must operate in some of the most challenging real-world environments. This role will own work across the development lifecycle: creating proof-of-concept prototypes, maturing promising concepts into feature-complete systems, and hardening those systems for reliable deployment on jobsites. 

This team member reports to the Robotics Software Lead and is part of HITT’s Robotics Team, which leads research and development, pilot programs, and full-time field deployments. The Robotics Team’s mission is to support our project teams, transform our industry, and bring robots to every jobsite.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who has a deep system-level understanding of what it takes for robots to operate in unstructured environments, handle dynamic obstacles, safely work around people, and work reliably with limited networking and power infrastructure. Although they may specialize in autonomy, perception, or manipulation, they are comfortable contributing across the robotics stack and addressing issues that span software, sensors, compute, networking, and mechanical hardware. They can move quickly when building an early proof-of-concept while applying the engineering discipline needed to mature it into a field-ready solution.

We encourage strong candidates excited by this role to apply even if they do not match every technical qualification listed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Robotics Software & Systems Integration

• Design, develop, integrate, and test software for complex field robotics applications.

• Support the development and maturation of the HITT robotics software stack.

• Integrate robot platforms, sensors, actuators, embedded computers, networks, and operator interfaces into cohesive systems.

• Develop field-ready autonomy capabilities, including localization, mapping, navigation, state estimation, and mission planning.

• Integrate perception pipelines using cameras, LiDAR, depth sensors, inertial sensors, and other sensing modalities.

• Develop manipulation applications involving motion planning, controls, end effectors, calibration, and task execution.

• Use simulation, synthetic data, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and repeatable test environments to accelerate development and reduce field risk.

• Configure and troubleshoot network connectivity on robots, sensors, operator interfaces, and cloud services using wired and wireless networks.

• Serve as a strong technical contributor across the stack while bringing depth in one or more of these areas; expertise in every discipline is not expected.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Collaborate with software engineers, hardware engineers, field testing engineers, vendors, partners, end users, and other stakeholders.

• Integrate and extend third-party technologies using APIs, SDKs, middleware, and other software interfaces.

• Contribute to co-development efforts with vendors and technology partners to establish technical requirements, resolve integration challenges, and evaluate solutions.

Field Testing & Deployment

• Plan and execute structured testing in the lab, at test sites, and on active construction projects.

• Deploy alongside field teams, observe real workflows, collect data, diagnose issues, and convert field feedback into engineering priorities.

• Design for difficult real-world conditions, including dust, changing lighting, uneven terrain, vibration, intermittent connectivity, dynamic obstacles, and frequent environmental change.

• Support deployed systems through remote and on-site troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.

• Document architectures, interfaces, test results, deployment procedures, and lessons learned so solutions can be supported and scaled.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in robotics, computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. 

• Master’s degree or 2+ years of experience in developing, integrating, and testing field robotics systems.

• Proficiency in C++, Python, and Linux-based robotics development.

• Proficiency in modern software-engineering practices, including version control (e.g., Git), automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (e.g., Docker).

• Experience working with APIs/SDKs, open-source software packages, and technical standards to bring together disparate technology components into a reliable solution.

• Fluency with AI-assisted and agentic software development (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor).

• Strong system-level troubleshooting skills across software, hardware, networking, and field operations.

• Ability to work effectively in uncertain, fast-moving environments and take ownership of open-ended technical problems.

• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical topics in written and verbal formats to various audiences.  

• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to prioritize tasks across multiple projects.

• Willingness to travel to active construction sites and participate directly in testing and deployment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing robotic systems for construction, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, mining, defense, or other demanding real-world environments.

• Experience developing robotic systems using Robot Operating System 2 (ROS 2) or comparable robotics middleware.

• Experience in mobile robot perception, SLAM, and navigation for ground and/or aerial robots.  

• Experience developing or integrating mobile manipulation systems, including perception, motion planning, controls, end-effector integration, and task execution.

• Experience integrating robotic sensing and compute such as cameras, LiDAR, GNSS, IMUs, embedded computers, and GPU-accelerated perception.

• Experience writing and working with software drivers to interface with sensors, actuators, and embedded systems, including familiarity with communications protocols and peripherals (e.g., RS232/422/485, CAN, TCP/IP).

• Experience developing low-latency teleoperation systems for real-time video, command, and telemetry streams, with graceful degradation amid intermittent connectivity.

• Experience developing cloud-connected robotics software workflows (e.g., Azure, Azure DevOps, AWS), web-based operator interfaces (e.g., React, JavaScript/TypeScript), and real-time video-streaming pipelines (e.g., GStreamer).

• Experience with robotics simulation environments (e.g., Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Unity) and/or developing software for NVIDIA Jetson devices.

• Familiarity with IP networking (e.g., subnetting, routing, DNS, DHCP) and mesh-network radios, including diagnosing latency, packet loss, and connectivity issues in RF-constrained field environments.

In accordance with Virginia Senate Bill 215 (SB 215), the base salary range for this position is:

$82,000.00 - $150,000.00

Compensation in other cities and states may vary. HITT Contracting offers a competitive total benefits and compensation package including performance-based bonuses, premium health care coverage including vision and dental, employer-matched 401(k), wellness reimbursement program, paid holidays and time-off, and other voluntary benefits and leave types. The determination of salary is based on the candidate’s individual professional experience, qualifications, education, skills, and training.

HITT Contracting is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring and developing the most qualified individuals based on job-related experience, skills, and merit. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We value a respectful, inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. HITT Contracting maintains a drug-free workplace, consistent with applicable local, state, and federal laws.