Engineer - Launchpad (Autonomous Driving) in Oxford

Founded in 2014, Oxa is a global leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, dedicated to accelerating Industrial Mobile Autonomy (IMA). We develop advanced physical AI and robotics technology, anchored around our configurable and explainable self-driving software, Oxa Driver; development toolchain, Oxa Foundry; and fleet management software, Oxa Hub. We utilise hardware blueprints known as Reference Autonomy Designs (RADs) to enable the integration of sensors, compute and drive‑by‑wire systems into existing vehicles produced by OEMs. Our solutions automate repetitive industrial driving tasks, such as the towing and carrying of goods in locations like ports, airports and manufacturing facilities, or asset and perimeter monitoring in environments such as solar farms or industrial plants. We’re helping global businesses to address critical challenges like labour shortages and rising operational costs - driving efficiency, productivity, and safety.

Based in Oxford, and with offices in Canada, our engineering team is drawn from the world’s top physical AI specialists and led by originators of the field.

Your Role: You will be joining the Launchpad stream, a team focused on preparing our software to be launch‑ready by testing our cutting‑edge code, integrating new features, and ensuring the highest quality for our customers. At Launchpad, we assess software performance in real‑world conditions by working directly with our vehicles. As a member of Launchpad you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the system’s components and interactions, identifying the areas for improvement and acting as an initial customer to drive our technical capabilities forwards. We are a team of problem solvers and keen roboticists who enjoy looking at the big picture and tackling challenges, and we are devoted to perfecting our software both in the real and the virtual worlds to deliver the best possible version of our vision for Universal Autonomy. This role will require extensive travel to the UAE for seconded periods of time. Eligible candidates must have no restrictions on their passport preventing entry into the UAE.

Your Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a cross‑functional team in the field to operate, test, and debug our autonomy systems in the real world.
• Build, upgrade and maintain maps for testing our vehicles in the real world.
• Investigate and analyse data to enable issues to be identified and resolved.
• Work collaboratively with multi‑disciplinary (and multicultural) teams, communicating technical requirements and working together to find solutions.
• Identify functionality gaps, contributing to the development of hotfixes and new features.

This is a hybrid role which will require working hands‑on with autonomous vehicles. This role will require extensive travel to the UAE for seconded periods of time. Candidates must have no restrictions on their passport preventing entry into the UAE and no criminal record.

What you need to succeed:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science or related subject.
• Good problem‑solving skills and data‑driven approach to troubleshooting.
• Able to manage workload and adaptable in the face of challenges.
• Able to work flexibly with shifting priorities.
• Ability to work in multi‑disciplinary teams, communicating with different spaces.
• Experience in deployment of systems in the field.
• Ability to code or read code in C++ or Python in industry.
• Experience with distributed version control system (eg. Git, Mercurial, SVN).
• Industry exposure in fields related to autonomous vehicles, such as robotics or automotive.
• Proven experience of debugging complex systems.
• Experience of using Linux/Unix.
• A Full UK Driver’s Licence.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary, benchmarked against the market and reviewed annually.
• Company share programme.
• Hybrid and/or flexible remote working arrangements.
• Core benefits of market‑leading private healthcare, life assurance, critical illness cover, income protection, alongside a company‑paid health cash plan (including gym discounts).
• A salary exchange pension plan.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• A pet‑friendly office environment.
• Safe assigned spaces for team members with individual and diverse needs.

Our Culture: We are on a mission to unlock the benefits of self‑driving technology to every person and organisation on the planet. We are creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work which, put simply, is the right thing to do. We hire and nurture those we can learn from, valuing diversity and the innovation that this drives. We promote an open and inclusive culture that empowers our Oxbots to bring their whole, authentic selves to work every day.

Why become an Oxbot? Our team of experts in computer science, AI, robotics and machine learning is world‑class, and together they’re solving the most exciting and important technological challenges of our times. Our diverse, multi‑cultural crew is guided by a shared vision to bring the myriad benefits of autonomy to our customers and partners. And in a company that celebrates uniqueness as much as skill and experience, we do it with energy, conviction and a healthy dose of excitement, too. If you are bold, creative and hyper skilled, come and create the future of autonomy with us at Oxa.