Senior Embedded Software Engineer I, Robotic Controls

ICON is looking for an Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our Software Products team in Austin, TX. In this hands-on role, you will develop and maintain control software for our production fleet and our space-based robotic systems. You will contribute in all aspects of the software development lifecycle as part of a growing, fast-paced team, with a focus on high-performance systems, including dynamic stabilization and real-time control. This role will be based at our Austin, TX headquarters and will report to ICON’s VP, Software Products.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop controls architecture with a combination of hard and soft real-time requirements
• Develop robust communication protocols between supervisory and real-time systems
• Program and debug control logic in a variety of languages (e.g. C/C++, Matlab, TwinCAT)
• Create modular, object-oriented code that adheres to established coding standards, design patterns, and documentation practices
• Lead system integration and validation efforts across hardware and software
• Develop and maintain simulated environments and automated test frameworks to support continuous integration and system verification
• Support electromechanical hardware systems both remotely and on-site, ensuring safe, reliable operation
• Participate in architecture decisions for controls and electrical systems, including component selection and standardization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers to ensure alignment across system interfaces
• Participate in design & code reviews to maintain consistency and high-quality output
• Develop and implement real-time control algorithms for dynamic stabilization, vibration mitigation, and high-speed feedback control
• Design and optimize sensor fusion and state estimation algorithms using IMUs, LiDAR, and other real-time sensing systems
• Act as a subject matter expert on system stabilization in non-linear, high-speed robotic applications
• Conduct simulations, system-level testing, and prototype development to enhance stability and real-world responsiveness

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering-related field. 
• 8+ years of experience in controls engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of real-time state estimation / sensor fusion algorithms (e.g., Kalman Filter, Extended Kalman Filter, Particle Filters) for dynamic systems with focus on position estimation from sensors at different sampling frequencies.
• Expertise in vibration analysis, non-linear dynamics, and stabilization of high-speed systems.
• Advanced programming skills in C/C++ with a focus on deterministic real-time control.
• Strong knowledge of linear algebra, stochastic modeling, and numerical methods, with experience implementing these in languages like C/C++.
• Experience selecting, integrating, and tuning sensors such as IMUs, accelerometers, and gyros for stabilization systems.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in controls engineering, robotics, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in shipping control systems designed for high-speed stabilization in dynamic environments.
• Practical experience with numerical stability analysis and ensuring robust algorithm performance in non-linear systems.
• Experience with modern compiled languages such as C++, Rust, or other systems-level programming tools.
• Familiarity with simulation tools and frameworks for system validation (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
• System architecture experience, particularly for embedded real-time systems.