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.