Principal Robotics / C++ Software Engineer

London (Hybrid)

Define how a complex, real-world system scales — technically and organisationally.

At sees.ai, we’ve built a system that enables unmanned aerial systems to carry out inspections of critical national infrastructure, making these missions repeatable, scalable, and commercially viable for asset owners. This is not a prototype or a simulation. It’s a complex, integrated system already deployed and working in the field, solving real operational problems.

Now, following a major contract with National Grid and recent investment, we’re entering the next phase: scaling that system into a robust, production platform and building the engineering organisation around it. We’re looking for a Principal Robotics / C++ Software Engineer to lead that transition.

The Role

This role goes beyond a typical senior engineering position. You’ll be responsible for shaping the long-term technical direction of the entire software stack, while staying close enough to the system to ensure decisions hold up in the real world.

You’ll work across:

• Flight and mission systems
  

• Operator interfaces and 3D environments
  

• Connectivity and distributed systems
  

• Simulation, testing, and data pipelines
  

Your primary impact will be in:

• Defining architecture and technical strategy
  

• Driving engineering standards and system evolution
  

• Ensuring the platform scales in a way that supports repeatable, reliable operations
  

• Enabling the team to grow and deliver effectively as complexity increases
  

What You’ll Be Doing

• Driving the technical vision and architecture of the full software stack
  

• Making key design decisions as the system scales from deployed solution to production platform
  

• Contributing hands-on where needed, particularly in complex or high-impact areas
  

• Leading technical discussions and setting engineering standards
  

• Mentoring engineers and helping grow a high-performing team
  

• Working closely with integration, operations, and product to align technical direction with real-world needs
  

• Shaping development processes, tooling, testing, and system reliability
  

• Playing a central role in team expansion and capability building
  

What You’ll Bring

• Deep experience in modern C++ in production systems
  

• Proven track record of designing and scaling complex, real-world software systems
  

• Strong architectural thinking across large, interconnected systems
  

• Ability to balance technical depth with pragmatic decision-making
  

• Experience influencing and guiding engineering teams
  

• Confidence operating in environments where systems are evolving and priorities shift
  

Nice to Have

• Experience in robotics, control systems, or real-world system integration
  

• Strong Linux and Python experience
  

• Experience deploying machine learning models
  

• Experience with distributed systems, networking, or system connectivity
  

• Experience building and scaling developer tooling, testing frameworks, or CI/CD systems
  

• Experience mentoring or leading teams through growth
  

How You’ll Work

This role suits someone who:

• Thinks in systems, not components
  

• Enjoys solving problems that exist in real-world operational environments
  

• Wants to shape both technology and the team building it
  

• Is comfortable making decisions without perfect information
  

• Balances long-term vision with immediate delivery needs
  

Why Join sees.ai

• Work on a system that is already deployed and operating in the field
  

• Shape how that system evolves into a scalable, production platform
  

• Play a central role in building a high-performing engineering team
  

• See the real-world impact of your decisions quickly
  

• Work on problems where software meets the physical world
  

About sees.ai

We’re building the operating system for large-scale unmanned inspection operations, enabling systems to be deployed reliably in real-world environments. Our technology is transforming how critical infrastructure is inspected — making it safer, more efficient, and scalable.

You’ll join at a pivotal stage, where a working system is being scaled into a robust platform, and where your work will directly shape how that happens.