Lead Robotics Engineer

We're automating homebuilding. Construction is one of the least automated industries in the world, and homes are still built largely by hand, in slow, expensive and fragmented processes. AUAR is a physical AI and robotics company changing that. Our software platform, MasterBuilder, turns a building design into the instructions needed to manufacture a home's timber structure. Our robotic MicroFactory then deploys directly onto a homebuilder's site and produces the wall, floor and roof panels they need, on demand.

The role involves taking technical and delivery leadership of the robotics systems that run our MicroFactories. This is a hands-on engineering leadership role, with robotics software as your technical home. From day one you'll work directly in our ROS 2 stack: developing features, reviewing architecture and PRs, debugging on real hardware and unblocking other engineers.

Problems you'll work on include:

• The robotics software stack - Shape and evolve the ROS 2 and behaviour-tree architecture that coordinates robots, mechanisms, tooling, sensors and production processes.
• Technical delivery - Turn product objectives into credible engineering plans with clear scope, ownership, sequencing, dependencies, capacity and milestones.
• Engineering throughput - Understand where work is accumulating, identify the real constraint and move capacity accordingly.
• Engineering judgement - Make fast decisions about architecture, scope and complexity.
• Team effectiveness - Review designs and PRs, unblock engineers, mentor the team, and create the technical structure that lets senior and junior engineers work in parallel.
• Robotics in the real world - Build software that works against real hardware and real materials.
• Growing the team - Identify capability and capacity gaps, make hiring and resourcing decisions.

What good looks like:

• In your first weeks, you're contributing technically, building a clear understanding of the system.
• Within your first month, you're making meaningful contributions to the ROS 2 stack.
• Within two months, there is a clear robotics engineering plan with visible ownership, dependencies, capacity and critical path.

Who this is for:

You're an experienced robotics software engineer who has already started leading other engineers and now wants broader ownership of a robotics product and the team delivering it. You've built substantial robotics software, shipped it on real hardware, and understand what happens when software meets robots, PLCs, mechanisms, sensors and imperfect physical processes.

What we're looking for:

• Deep robotics software experience: you've built and shipped substantial robotics software on real hardware, and ROS 2 is a comfortable home.
• A greenfield track record: you've taken systems from early stages to working products.
• Strong C++ and Python skills.
• Systems architecture experience.
• Real-world operation experience.
• The wider industrial stack knowledge.
• Technical leadership and judgement.
• Precise technical communication.

Bonus if you have:

• Experience building robotics products in a start-up or fast-paced R&D environment.
• Experience with simulation, automated robotics testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• 28 bookable days + bank holidays + seasonal office closure.
• Health and dental insurance via Bupa.
• An 11,000 sq ft R&D and demonstration facility in E17.
• Share options.
• High autonomy, high accountability, and a team of industry experts.

Application process:

We expect the full hiring process to take around 4-5 weeks. Initial Application - a human will review your CV & full application. Hiring Manager Call (30-45 mins, remote). Task-based Working Session & Values Interview (60-90 mins, in-person). Final Founder Interview (30 mins, in-person).

This is a London role, 5 days a week in our E17 office. You'll need the right to work in the UK. We can sponsor visas if you're a standout candidate.

We're proud that 50% of our technical team and 50% of our leadership are women. We're committed to creating an equitable, inclusive and diverse workplace.