Staff Navigation Engineer (m/f/d)

About The Role At ARX Robotics, you will help develop the navigation system that enables autonomous ground vehicles to operate safely and reliably in complex off-road environments. As a Staff Navigation Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping how robotic platforms plan, adapt, and execute missions across unpredictable terrain and demanding real-world conditions. You will work across autonomy, perception, localization, and platform engineering teams to turn advanced navigation capabilities into deployable systems. Your work will directly influence the performance, resilience, and operational effectiveness of autonomous and teleoperated vehicles used in the field. What You’ll Build Design and develop global and local path planning algorithms for autonomous navigation in unstructured and off-road environments Build navigation systems that enable safe, efficient, and terrain-aware traversal across complex outdoor terrain Integrate perception and terrain understanding data into cost maps and occupancy grids for obstacle-aware navigation Develop high-level autonomy logic using behavior trees or state machines for mission execution and recovery behaviors Validate navigation systems in simulation environments before deployment to real-world platforms Test and tune navigation performance in field environments, improving trajectory smoothness, robustness, and safety Collaborate closely with perception, localization, and software teams to integrate navigation into the broader autonomy stack Analyze field data and system performance to identify and resolve navigation challenges Optimize navigation pipelines for real-time robotic systems operating on edge computing hardware Contribute to the advancement of autonomous robotics technologies in a fast-moving defense technology environment What You Bring Advanced academic background (MSc or higher) in Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Computer Vision, or a related engineering field Strong software engineering skills in C++ with experience developing robotics applications Experience working with ROS2, autonomous navigation stacks, and real-time robotic systems Proven ability to debug and optimize complex robotics software in real-world environments Strong understanding of state estimation, probabilistic robotics, motion planning, and 3D geometry Hands-on experience deploying navigation systems on physical robotic platforms Confidence working within Linux-based development environments using version control, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software engineering practices A proactive and structured approach to solving complex autonomy and navigation challenges Experience with Python, Rust, CUDA, or edge computing optimization are beneficial Please note: You do not need to meet every single requirement to apply. We welcome motivated candidates who are eager to grow into the role and develop their expertise further. What We Offer Join a mission-driven European defense tech company at a pivotal stage of growth, where you can help shape meaningful technology, take ownership early, and grow with the business! Competitive compensation package including a bonus opportunity 27 vacation days to start, increasing with tenure up to 30 days Employer-supported pension contribution Learning & development support and team events budget Employee discounts and flexible benefits budget via Probonio Hybrid working setup depending on role and team needs About Us ARX is a dual-use technology company that specializes in developing autonomous unmanned systems and sensors for the European defence sector. Our dual-use unmanned ground systems and sensors assist NATO Armies and civilian first responders in tackling their most challenging problems by providing them with training and information to make better decisions and take effective actions in life-or-death situations. As our team continues to expand rapidly, we are seeking motivated candidates who are excited to work in a highly energetic, creative, and innovative team dedicated to developing autonomous systems for challenging environments. We operate in a dynamic sector where collaboration, sharing innovative ideas, and developing novel problem-solving strategies are ingrained in our work culture. If you are passionate about overcoming challenges that have a real impact on the security of our democracies, apply here to join ARX and help shape the future of dual-use technology! ARX is an equal-opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. You can find ARX Robotics Applicant Privacy Policy here .