Senior C++ Software Engineer (Defense Autonomy)

Applied Intuition Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive defense trucking construction mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure operating systems and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers as well as the United States military and its allies trust the companys solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale California with offices in Washington D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach Florida; Ann Arbor Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at .

We are an in-office company and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions

Applied is seeking a Software Engineer with strong foundations in algorithmic optimization and multi-agent systems. Youll tackle complex computational challenges in our real-time decision-making platform designing and implementing advanced algorithms that push the boundaries of autonomous coordination and planning. We seek motivated engineers driven by core mission values to join our Acuity Autonomous Behaviors and Agents engineering team focused on next-generation human-machine teaming and real-time decision-making systems. Youll help build intelligent agents that plan and execute missions using advanced reasoning planning and optimization algorithms. Our work spans real-time scenarios heterogeneous platforms (air space land surface sub-surface) and software that integrates seamlessly with human operators. If you thrive in fast-moving mission-oriented environments and love building autonomy that help our warfighters this is your role.

Your work will support our Axion and Acuity family of systems enabling breakthrough capabilities in human-machine teaming across all domains. If youre passionate about applying cutting-edge algorithms to solve mission-critical coordination problems this role offers exceptional opportunities to advance the state of the art in autonomous decision making systems.

• Design and implement multi-agent optimization algorithms for distributed decision-making and coordination problems

• Develop temporal logic frameworks and constraint-satisfaction algorithms for complex planning scenarios

• Create mathematical models for sequential decision process under uncertainty with probabilistic outcomes

• Build computational frameworks that balance algorithmic efficiency with human-interpretable reasoning

• Implement and evaluate quantitative metrics for algorithm performance solution quality and computational efficiency

• BS or MS in Computer Science Software Engineering Robotics or a related technical field OR 5 years of professional experience developing intelligent agents or planning systems.

• 5 years of hands-on experience developing performant modern C (we use C 20).

• Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience implementing algorithms for constraint satisfaction scheduling and optimization problems.

• Demonstrable skill in analyzing visualizing and optimizing algorithm performance and solution quality.

• Proficiency with Bazel in Docker-based Linux environments.

• Strong procedural and object-oriented programming experience that employs clean code principles and good OOP design patterns/principles.

• Experience developing in Docker and containerized development environments and using Linux-based operating systems (e.g. RHEL Ubuntu).

• Understanding of Service-oriented Architecture and message broker vs data broker paradigms.

• Ability to translate complex mathematical concepts into clear technical documentation and communicate complex software designs.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel required (approx. 1020%) for demonstrations integration or customer engagement

Security Clearance

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must be eligible for a U.S. SECRET clearance with Special Access Program (SAP) eligibility

• Advanced degree (MS) in algorithms computational optimization or autonomous systems OR 5 years building autonomous decision systems.

• Expertise in advanced planning paradigms (e.g. PDDL HTN planning Monte Carlo tree search) temporal reasoning formal verification or symbolic planning.

• Experience with game theory for multi-agent coordination or negotiation protocols.

• Familiarity with real-time optimization under hardware/edge constraints.

• Background in Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) or defense applications.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary equity and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units comprehensive health dental vision life and disability insurance coverage 401k retirement benefits with employer match learning and wellness stipends and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience credentials & certifications educational attainment skill level requirements interview performance and the level and scope of the position.

Dont meet every single requirement If youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently the parties agree that as applicable they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a) 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that as applicable they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471 Appendix A to Subpart A) relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request.
If you require an accommodation please contact . We will work with you!

Required Experience:

Senior IC