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.
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 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 involvement and direct partnership 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 from day one, ensuring that every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of drone intelligence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Intern
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at Seeing Systems or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to robotics or software engineering. Share it on platforms like GitHub and make sure to link it in your application on our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding of robotics frameworks like ROS. Practice common algorithms and be ready to discuss your thought process during problem-solving.
✨Tip Number 4
Be proactive! If you see a project or a problem that interests you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with your ideas. Showing initiative can really set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Intern
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.
Tailor Your Skills to the Role:Make sure to highlight your software engineering skills, especially in Python, and any experience with robotics frameworks like ROS/ROS2. Connect your past projects or experiences directly to what we’re looking for in this role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. Make it easy for us to see how you fit into our team and the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from 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, ROS/ROS2, and any relevant AI tools. Brush up on your understanding of SLAM, sensor fusion, and real-time systems, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or experiences you've had, particularly those involving drones or robotics. Be ready to explain your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the company’s technology stack, their approach to autonomy, and the specific challenges they face. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Embrace the Startup Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you handle ambiguity and rapid changes, as this is crucial in a startup environment. Share examples of how you've adapted quickly in past experiences, and express your enthusiasm for taking ownership of projects from start to finish.
