At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build core components for autonomous drones, working hands-on with cutting-edge technology.
- Company: Join Seeing Systems, a pioneering team in autonomous drone technology.
- Benefits: Founding-level ownership, competitive salary, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Fast-paced startup environment with opportunities for rapid growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact by developing innovative drone systems from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering skills, preferably in Python, and experience with robotics or distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 € per year.
About Us
Seeing Systems is building autonomous drone systems that can perceive, navigate, and act intelligently in complex real‑world environments. We focus on advancing autonomy through monocular vision, sensor fusion, and robust system design, enabling drones to operate reliably where traditional systems fail. Seeing Systems was founded by brothers Matthew and Alex Le Maitre, combining deep experience across software, robotics, and defense.
The Role
We’re hiring a Software Engineering Intern to help design and build the core autonomy stack powering our drones. This is a deeply technical, hands‑on role where you’ll work across perception, planning, and systems infrastructure—owning critical pieces of the product from day one. You’ll partner directly with the founders to define architecture, make key technical decisions, and ship systems that perform reliably both in simulation and in the field.
What You’ll Do
- Design and build core components of the autonomous drone stack
- Develop perception and state estimation systems using monocular vision and sensor fusion
- Work with and extend robotics frameworks like ROS / ROS2
- Build and test algorithms in simulation environments such as AirSim, and deploy to real systems
- Implement and optimize SLAM, localization, and navigation pipelines
- Interface with sensors, compute systems, and flight controllers
- Contribute to system architecture across software, hardware, and communications layers
- Rapidly prototype, test in the field, and iterate on real‑world performance
- Leverage modern AI tools and workflows to accelerate development and experimentation
- Help define engineering culture, tooling, and hiring as a founding team member
Within your first 30 days, you'll deploy your first vision‑based navigation update to a physical drone and test in the field, and within 90 days, you’ll be co‑owner of our internal autonomy stack, responsible for large‑scale development and direction of our primary software product.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong software engineering skills, with Python preferred (C++, Rust or OCaml is a plus)
- Experience building robotics, real‑time, or distributed systems
- Familiarity with ROS / ROS2 and working across simulation + hardware
- Strong intuition for systems, debugging, and performance tradeoffs
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and moving quickly in a startup environment
- High ownership mindset—you build, test, and ship end‑to‑end
- Heavy user of AI tools (e.g., claude code) to accelerate output
- Willing to go outside with us and test in the real world!
Nice to Have
- Experience with SLAM, visual odometry, or 3D reconstruction
- Background in computer vision (especially monocular/depth estimation)
- Experience with sensor fusion (e.g., IMU + camera, Kalman filters)
- Familiarity with AirSim or similar simulation platforms
- Experience working with drones, UAV systems, or embedded systems
- RF or communications systems experience
- Prior startup or founding engineer experience
Why Join
- Founding‑level ownership
- Opportunity to build cutting‑edge autonomous systems from first principles
- Work on real‑world robotics problems with immediate, tangible impact
- Tight iteration loop between simulation and deployment
- Small, high‑agency team moving quickly
If you’re excited about building autonomous systems that operate in the real world—and want to help define the future of drone intelligence—we’d love to talk.
Software Engineering Intern in Christchurch employer: Seeing Systems (YC W26)
At Seeing Systems, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters innovation and growth in the rapidly evolving field of autonomous drone technology. Our collaborative work culture encourages hands-on learning and direct involvement with founders, providing interns with unique opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge projects while developing their skills in a supportive environment. Located in a dynamic startup atmosphere, we offer a chance to make a real impact on the future of robotics, ensuring that every team member plays a vital role in shaping our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Intern in Christchurch
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at Seeing Systems. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to robotics or software engineering. Share it during interviews or on platforms like GitHub to give us a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding key concepts in robotics and AI. Practice common algorithms and be ready to discuss your thought process when solving problems.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Intern in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Robotics:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for robotics and autonomous systems shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the technology and the impact it can have in the real world.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any relevant projects or experiences you've had with software engineering, especially in Python, ROS, or robotics. This is your chance to demonstrate how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure to explain your thought process where applicable.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Seeing Systems (YC W26)
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python and ROS/ROS2. Brush up on your understanding of SLAM, sensor fusion, and any relevant algorithms. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're ready to dive into the technical aspects of the role.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to talk about any relevant projects you've worked on, particularly those involving robotics or autonomous systems. If you’ve built something using AirSim or have experience with drones, be ready to share your experiences and the challenges you faced. This will demonstrate your hands-on skills and problem-solving abilities.
✨Emphasise Your Ownership Mindset
Seeing Systems is looking for someone who takes ownership of their work. Be prepared to discuss times when you’ve taken initiative in past projects, whether it was leading a team, making key decisions, or troubleshooting issues. Highlighting your proactive approach will resonate well with the founders.
✨Be Ready for Real-World Testing
Since the role involves testing in real-world environments, express your enthusiasm for getting outside and testing systems. Share any experiences you have with field testing or rapid prototyping. This will show that you’re not just a coder but someone who’s excited about applying your skills in practical scenarios.
