Lead Robotics Engineer, Autonomy

Job description

Valinor is a new type of defense and government tech company focused on solving the problems others don't. Our unique model of centralized go-to-market and decentralized engineering allows us to move with unparalleled efficiency to identify unmet needs, build right-sized solutions, and get products where they matter most - in the hands of users. Unlike others in the space, who focus on the flashy problems, Valinor exists to solve the quiet, unaddressed problems-the small but significant ones that lead to cracks in the country's strength, stability, and security. Backed by General Catalyst, Founders Fund, and Red Cell Partners, Valinor was founded in 2024 and has established strategic partnerships with Palantir, Anduril, and Helsing. We are building the dream team, and we want you on it. ABOUT THE ROLE Valinor Dispatch is seeking a Lead Robotics Engineer to own the autonomy stack end to end, from computer vision and flight control to robotic manipulation, behind its ruggedized, field-deployable UxS charging infrastructure for defense applications. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for someone who can set architectural direction, work shoulder-to-shoulder with mechanical, electrical, and software teams, and mentor a small group of engineers building the next generation of autonomous and robotic platforms. You'll drive the system from concept through field deployment and establish the technical standards the team will build on. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Architect and own the full autonomy stack (perception, state estimation, planning, and control) across autonomous aerial platforms and robotic manipulators, from concept through field deployment. - Lead integration and tuning of flight control software (PX4/ArduPilot-class or in-house controllers), including attitude and position loops for stability and reliable performance in real-world and contested environments. - Design, develop, and bring up robotic arm systems including kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and manipulation behaviors, with sim-to-real validation and on-hardware tuning. - Develop computer vision and sensor-fusion pipelines (camera/IMU/LiDAR) for navigation, target detection, alignment, and autonomous docking and retention tasks. - Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to ensure seamless integration of sensors, electronics, and electromechanical components into deployable systems. - Establish standards for simulation, testing, and safe field operation. Drive technical direction through design reviews and architecture decisions. - Mentor a small team of robotics and software engineers. Lead prototype bring-up, testing, and refinement in lab and field environments. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - Bachelor's or Master's in Robotics, EE/ME, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field. - 5+ years of experience building robotics/autonomy systems, with 2+ years in a technical lead or team-lead capacity on mission-critical or fielded systems (defense, aerospace, drones, or similar). - Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with solid real-time and embedded systems fundamentals. - Demonstrated depth across the full stack: perception/CV, state estimation (EKF/factor graphs, VIO/SLAM), motion and path planning, and control (PID through MPC). - Hands-on experience with flight control stacks (PX4/ArduPilot or equivalent) and tuning controllers on real hardware. - Experience designing and deploying 6DOF manipulation systems, including kinematics, motion planning (MoveIt/OMPL-class), and grasping. - Proficiency with ROS/ROS2 and robotics simulation tooling (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or similar), plus hardware-in-the-loop testing. - Track record of shipping autonomous systems to the real world, not just simulation or research, with sound judgment on sim-to-real and field reliability. - Robot learning (imitation/RL, VLA models), CUDA/edge deployment, and experience operating in rugged or contested environments a plus. WHAT VALINOR OFFERS - Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401(k), development stipends, among others. - Unlimited PTO and two-week company holiday at the end of every calendar year. - We are a pro-mental health and pro-family company - we actually encourage employees to spend time with themselves and their families. Valinor also provides fertility benefits to those just beginning that journey. - Fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us. This role requires the candidate be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred, but not required. Valinor is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Valinor team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense and government technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!