# Technical Lead Software Engineer - Autonomy Mission Systems

**Company:** [Applied Intuition](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/applied-intuition)
**Location:** Ann Arbor, MI, Sunnyvale, CA
**Role:** Engineering Management
**Salary:** $175k – $275k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** C++, c++20, Docker, Linux, rhel, ubuntu, constraint satisfaction, scheduling, optimization algorithms, multi-agent systems, temporal logic, object-oriented programming, service-oriented architecture, message brokers, data brokers
**Posted:** 2026-08-12

> Leads the Autonomous Behaviors and Agents engineering team, setting technical direction and delivering real-time multi-agent planning and optimization systems for mission-critical autonomy. Requires substantial modern C++ experience, algorithmic depth, and demonstrated engineering leadership.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Drive the technical vision, architecture, and roadmap for the Autonomous Behaviors and Agents team from concept through delivery.
- Lead, mentor, and grow engineers; run design reviews; set engineering standards; and raise code quality and algorithmic rigor.
- Design and implement multi-agent optimization algorithms for distributed decision-making and coordination.
- Direct development of temporal logic frameworks and constraint-satisfaction algorithms for complex planning scenarios.
- Partner with product, program, and customer-facing stakeholders to translate mission needs into technical priorities, scope, and delivery commitments.
- Coordinate cross-team integration and de-risk dependencies across the Axion and Acuity system families.
- Represent engineering in customer or program reviews as needed.

## Requirements
- MS or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field, or 8+ years of professional experience developing intelligent agents or planning systems.
- 8+ years of hands-on experience developing performant modern C++ (C++20), with 2+ years leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead on complex software programs.
- Experience setting technical direction, driving architectural decisions, and delivering complex systems through a team.
- Strong theoretical and practical experience with constraint satisfaction, scheduling, and optimization algorithms.
- Deep procedural and object-oriented programming experience, clean code principles, and pragmatic use of object-oriented design patterns.
- Experience with Docker, containerized development environments, and Linux-based operating systems such as RHEL or Ubuntu.
- Understanding of service-oriented architecture and message broker versus data broker paradigms, including system-level architectural tradeoffs.
- Ability to translate complex mathematical concepts into clear technical documentation and communicate designs, tradeoffs, and status to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience mentoring engineers, running design and code reviews, and building healthy, high-performing team culture.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for a U.S. SECRET clearance with Special Access Program eligibility.
- Occasional travel required, approximately 10–20%, for demonstrations, integration, or customer engagement.

## Nice to Have
- Experience with defense, aerospace, or other safety-critical autonomy programs.
- Experience with game theory for multi-agent coordination or negotiation protocols.
- Familiarity with real-time optimization under hardware or edge constraints.
- Background in Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) or defense applications.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary: $175,000–$275,000.
- Eligible compensation may include base salary, equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, and benefits.
- Benefits may include comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off.

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