Founding Embedded Software Engineer

Theseus's mission is to push the boundaries of real-world autonomy for unmanned systems. Theseus' Micro VPS (Visual Positioning System) replaces GPS with computer vision for autonomous drone localization in contested environments. We tackle the hardest localization challenges with a focus on low SWaP-C (Size Weight and Power, Cost) enabling rapid retrofitting onto existing airframes. We are solving the key problem that limits autonomy for drones in contested environments.

The role

We are seeking a Founding Embedded Software Engineer to design, implement and maintain the core embedded software and systems infrastructure for the VPS. You'll tackle everything from low-level debugging and real-time C++ development to networking, hardware integration with flight controllers, and tooling/CI for device builds. If you're passionate about solving cutting-edge problems with direct real world impact, this role is for you.

You Will

• Design, implement, and optimize software for resource-constrained hardware, focusing on concurrency, memory usage, and real-time performance.
• Integrate sensors and autopilot interfaces into unified data pipelines; identify and resolve hardware-level challenges.
• Configure and maintain logging frameworks, system daemons, and networking protocols to ensure reliable data exchange and device health.
• Develop fail-safe logic, error handling, and fallback strategies for mission-critical operations, ensuring system stability in real-world flight conditions.
• Make key decisions around system architecture, balancing execution risk, lead time and cost to deliver scalable, reliable solutions and minimize maintenance burden.
• Work with QA, perception/SLAM teams, and hardware vendors to unify system architecture, centralize data logs, and create clear technical documentation.

You Have

• 2+ years professional experience in software engineering (professional or OSS) working with C++/Rust.
• Ability to isolate and fix non-trivial hardware/software integration issues using instrumentation and systematic testing.

Nice to Have’s

• Experience working with vision-based systems.
• Experience implementing and troubleshooting embedded communication protocols (e.g., TCP/UDP, UART) in production environments.
• Experience with cross-compilation, Docker-based builds, automated test frameworks, and CI/CD for ARM or similar SBCs.
• UAV/robotics background (PX4, Ardupilot).
• Startup experience scaling hardware products.

Benefits / What we offer

• Competitive salary and equity package.
• Opportunity to be part of the founding team, with direct influence over product and company direction.
• Comprehensive health benefits.
• Office in San Francisco with easy CalTrain / I280 access.

At Theseus, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment. We believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences is essential for innovation and success. We encourage people of all identities to apply, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other dimension of diversity. If you are energized by solving hard problems that impact geopolitics, this is for you.