Phd Robotics Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

At Advanced Robotics Group, we develop fully autonomous robotic systems for complex industrial environments where GPS is unavailable, communications are unreliable, conditions change constantly, and failure is not an option.

Our engineers work at the intersection of robotics, autonomy, computer vision, software engineering, and large-scale data systems. This role is focused on solving open-ended technical challenges: enabling robotic platforms to perceive their surroundings, localize and navigate independently, make intelligent decisions, and operate reliably in the real world.

As an Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer, you will design and develop the software that enables our robotic platforms to operate autonomously. You will contribute to localization, mapping, navigation, perception, system integration, and autonomy architecture while working with a small, highly capable engineering team to solve some of the most demanding problems in industrial robotics. The ideal candidate is a strong software engineer, systems thinker, and relentless problem solver who enjoys difficult challenges, thrives in ambiguity, and takes satisfaction in seeing their ideas deployed in real‑world autonomous systems.

If you're the type of engineer who enjoys building things that others say can't be done, we'd like to talk.

• Design and implement autonomous capabilities for high-performance robotic platforms.
• Develop algorithms for localization, mapping, SLAM, state estimation, motion planning, and navigation.
• Build perception and multi-sensor fusion solutions that enable robust environmental understanding.
• Integrate sensing, planning, and control systems into cohesive autonomy frameworks.
• Design and execute simulation and real-world testing to validate reliability and performance.
• Develop production‑quality software from prototype through deployment.
• Extend and integrate open‑source robotics frameworks with proprietary technologies.
• Collaborate closely with software, electrical, mechanical, and field engineering teams to deliver fully integrated systems.
• Solve technically challenging problems that directly impact safety, operational efficiency, and real-world deployments.

• BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proven experience designing and developing robotics software and delivering complex technical projects.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals, including architecture, testing, debugging, and code quality.
• Experience with localization, mapping, SLAM and state estimation techniques.
• Experience with path planning, motion planning, perception and navigation algorithms.
• Experience designing and integrating complex systems.
• Experience with ROS, ROS 2 or similar robotics middleware.
• Advanced proficiency in modern C++ and performance optimization techniques.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and system‑level thinking.
• Ability to work independently on open-ended engineering challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies quickly.
• High level of professional integrity and confidentiality.

• 5+ years of robotics software development experience.
• Experience deploying robotics systems in real‑world environments.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
• Experience with embedded systems or real-time software development.
• Experience with robotics simulation environments.
• Hands‑on experience with robotic platforms and field testing.
• Experience with computer vision, sensor fusion, or machine learning applications in robotics.
• Familiarity with Linux development environments, distributed software architectures and modern software development workflows.

This is a full‑time, on‑site position located in Houston, Texas. The role requires close collaboration with software, electrical, mechanical, and field engineering teams and supports rapid iteration, peer review, hardware integration, and hands‑on system testing. The position involves a combination of software development, laboratory testing, and direct interaction with robotic platforms in a professional R&D environment.

• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Stock option participation.
• Company‑paid medical, vision, and disability coverage.
• Paid holidays and PTO.
• Daily team lunches and a stocked kitchen.
• Modern 14,000 square‑foot R&D facility in Houston.
• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge autonomous robotics systems with real‑world impact.
• Small, highly technical team environment where individual contributions matter.
• Established, well‑funded organization with more than a decade of robotics and analytics innovation.

• Enjoys solving difficult technical problems with no obvious answer.
• Thrives in small teams where ownership and accountability are expected.
• Prefers building real systems that operate outside of laboratory conditions.
• Comfortable balancing research, experimentation, and production‑quality engineering.
• Communicates effectively and collaborates across disciplines.
• Takes initiative and continuously pursues technical growth.