Robotics Engineer - Ground Autonomy

Employer description

About Us:Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk.

Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy .

About the RoleAs a Robotics Engineer – Ground Autonomy, you will design, build, and deploy autonomy systems for unmanned ground vehicles operating in complex, unstructured environments.

This role spans the full autonomy stack — from control systems and motion planning to perception integration and mission execution. You won’t just write algorithms; you’ll own systems that move real machines across real terrain under real operational constraints.

If you are energized by making intelligent systems move safely and confidently through the world, and want your work tested beyond the lab, this role offers immediate and meaningful impact.

Key ResponsibilitiesEnd-to-End Autonomy OwnershipOwn ground autonomy systems deployed to operational platforms

Deliver reliable, mission-ready autonomy software

Control & Motion PlanningDesign and implement control algorithms (path following, trajectory generation, vehicle dynamics modeling)

Develop motion planning strategies for diverse and dynamic terrains

Optimize for stability, precision, and safety

Perception IntegrationDevelop and integrate perception pipelines for obstacle detection, terrain analysis, and environmental understanding

Fuse heterogeneous sensors (camera, lidar, radar, IMU) into robust autonomy outputs

Autonomy ArchitectureBuild and extend ROS2-based autonomy stacks

Implement mission planning, behavior trees, and real-time navigation logic

Maintain modular, scalable autonomy architecture

Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner with embedded, hardware, and mission software teams

Drive autonomy integration from prototype to field deployment

Field Testing & DebuggingDevelop monitoring and performance metrics for deployed systems

Diagnose autonomy failures in real-world environments

Support live testing, demonstrations, and deployments

Customer & Operator EngagementTranslate operational ground mission needs into autonomy capabilities

Balance field constraints with technical feasibility

QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (or related field)

3+ years of experience in C++ and/or Python in Linux environments

Hands-on experience deploying ROS2-based autonomy systems on real-world ground platforms

Experience designing control systems for autonomous vehicles (path planning, trajectory following, vehicle dynamics)

Experience building perception systems for ground autonomy

Strong systems-thinking and debugging skills

Passion for mission-critical real-world robotics

U.S. Citizenship and eligibility for U.S. security clearance

Preferred QualificationsExperience with multi-agent or coordinated ground vehicle systems

SLAM, GPS-denied navigation, or advanced localization techniques

Motion planning algorithms (RRT, MPC, A*, etc.)

Experience with heterogeneous sensor integration

Real-time or safety-critical systems experience

Familiarity with military ground systems and operational tactics

Why This Role MattersYou will build autonomy systems that operate beyond controlled environments — on terrain that challenges perception, control, and decision-making in real time. Your work will directly impact how autonomous ground platforms perform in operational missions.

Benefits:100% Employer paid Health Insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families

Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)

Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum

Equity Package

Work / Home Office Stipend

Global Entry

16 Week Paid Parental Leave

Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values:Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.