Principal Software Engineer - C++ Robotics System
London, United Kingdom | Posted on 21/04/2026
About the Company
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.
Overview
Principal Robotics / C++ Software Engineer – London (Hybrid)
Define how a complex, real-world system scales — technically and organisationally.
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.
Responsibilities
- Shape 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.
- Work across flight and mission systems, operator interfaces and 3D environments, connectivity and distributed systems, and simulation, testing, and data pipelines.
- Define architecture and technical strategy, drive engineering standards and system evolution, and ensure the platform scales to support repeatable, reliable operations.
- Enable the team to grow and deliver effectively as complexity increases.
- Drive the technical vision and architecture of the full software stack.
- Make key design decisions as the system scales from deployed solution to production platform.
- Provide hands‑on contributions in complex or high‑impact areas when needed.
- Lead technical discussions, set engineering standards, and mentor engineers to build a high‑performing team.
- Work closely with integration, operations, and product to align technical direction with real‑world needs.
- Shape development processes, tooling, testing, and system reliability.
- Play a central role in team expansion and capability building.
Qualifications
- 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
- Think in systems, not components.
- Enjoy solving problems that exist in real‑world operational environments.
- Shape both technology and the team building it.
- Be comfortable making decisions without perfect information.
- Balance long‑term vision with immediate delivery needs.
- 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.
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.
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