At a Glance
- Tasks: Revive and enhance a robotic grasping system, tackling real autonomy challenges.
- Company: Join Lodestar, a pioneering tech firm focused on space asset protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, vibrant office culture, and flexible internship duration.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for hands-on learning and growth.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in robotics while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Pursuing a degree in Robotics or related field; C++ and Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 27000 £ per year.
About Lodestar
Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product, MITHRIL, is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into a single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service.
About the Job
We are looking for a motivated Robotics Engineer Intern to support our team in bringing an existing robotic grasping system back online and driving forward its development. This role offers hands-on experience with a complete perception-to-manipulation pipeline, including stereo vision, ArUco marker detection, and 6-DoF robotic arm control. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to a working physical system with real autonomy challenges.
What You’ll Do
- Take ownership of an existing end-to-end robotic grasping system and bring it back to a fully operational state following a period of paused development.
- Assess and implement necessary configuration updates arising from changes to the end effector setup.
- Refine and stabilise the system, making incremental improvements to simplify the architecture and improve reliability.
- Work with a stereo vision camera mounted on the end effector to detect ArUco markers and guide the arm toward a target grasp pose.
- Collaborate closely with the team to identify and implement further improvements to perception and motion performance.
Qualifications Required
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python.
- Experience with Linux, preferably in embedded or real-time systems environments.
- Experience with an embedded system project demonstrating the full end-to-end process of developing, deploying, and validating software on physical hardware.
- Strong interest in robotics, particularly robotic manipulation and 6-DoF robotic arm control.
- Enthusiastic self-starter with a practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a small, multidisciplinary team.
Preferred
- Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System).
- Experience with machine vision, computer vision models, marker-based perception systems, or depth perception pipelines.
- Experience with Docker and containerized development environments.
- Experience with 6-DoF robotic manipulators, kinematics, and motion planning.
- Familiarity with robotic perception, grasp planning, manipulation frameworks, or autonomous systems.
- Familiarity with stereo vision cameras, depth sensing technologies, and perception workflows.
- Experience with ArUco or other fiducial marker detection and tracking systems.
- Familiarity with Git and modern version control workflows.
Benefits
- Vibrant, open-plan office in London.
- Be part of a scrappy, dynamic, multidisciplinary, collaborative crew.
- Salary of £27,000 Pro Rata.
Start Date
Flexible start date. Expected internship length of 2–3 months. Timing can be adjusted to accommodate academic schedules and candidate availability.
Important Information: For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of one of the following countries: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, or United States, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.
Robotics Software Engineer Intern in London employer: Lodestar
Lodestar is an exceptional employer for aspiring Robotics Software Engineers, offering a vibrant and collaborative work environment in London. Interns will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology while working alongside a dynamic team dedicated to advancing autonomous systems. With a focus on employee growth and flexible internship arrangements, Lodestar provides a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that protect high-value space assets.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Robotics Software Engineer Intern in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! Dive into projects that showcase your skills in robotics and software development. Whether it's a personal project or contributing to open-source, having something tangible to show can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend robotics meetups, workshops, or online forums. Connecting with industry professionals can lead to opportunities and insider tips that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills! Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you articulate your experience and passion for robotics. Be ready to discuss your projects and how they relate to the role at Lodestar.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at Lodestar. Don’t miss out on this chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Robotics Software Engineer Intern in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Robotics:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for robotics shine through! Talk about any projects or experiences that sparked your interest in the field, especially those related to robotic manipulation and control.
Tailor Your Skills to the Role:Make sure to highlight your proficiency in C++ and Python, as well as any experience with Linux or embedded systems. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for, so be specific about your relevant experiences!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lodestar
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of robotics, especially around grasping systems and 6-DoF robotic arm control. Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, like stereo vision and ArUco markers, so you can confidently discuss how they relate to your experience.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for robotics shine through! Talk about any personal projects or experiences that demonstrate your hands-on approach to problem-solving. Companies love candidates who are genuinely excited about the field and eager to contribute.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions during the interview. Brush up on C++ and Python, and be ready to discuss your experience with embedded systems and software deployment. Practising coding problems related to robotics can also give you an edge.
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face with the robotic grasping system, or future projects. This shows you're not just interested in the role but also in the company’s mission and culture.
