Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
Apptronik is seeking a Wireless Networking Engineer to join our team in Austin, TX, to own the software and systems behind reliable wireless connectivity for our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo. In this role, you will define network requirements, conduct technology trade-off studies, and harden links for real-time teleoperation and fleet operations across various facilities. You will join a dedicated team applying expertise across the robotics stack to solve complex challenges in safety and commercialization to change the world for the better.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:- Define functional and non-functional network requirements including latency budgets, bandwidth minimums, and security posture for various traffic classes.
- Evaluate and recommend candidate technologies such as WiFi 6/6E, private 5G, and LTE against defined robot requirements.
- Engineer wireless links to sustain ~100 Hz control and telemetry traffic with bounded tail latency using MAC- and IP-layer QoS.
- Optimize bandwidth to reduce aggregate traffic to fit specific WiFi channels through video encoding and telemetry decimation.
- Configure and harden the robot's wireless stack on embedded Linux, including roaming, addressing, and reconnection handling.
- Partner with hardware/RF teams to characterize radio modules, antenna placement, and self-interference from power electronics.
- Design robot-side network health telemetry and diagnostic trouble codes integrated into the telemetry pipeline.
- Design link-loss detection, watchdog logic, and safe-state transitions to ensure operational safety over wireless links.
- Proficiency in C++ within a Linux environment for system-level and real-time performance-sensitive code.
- Solid command of TCP/IP, UDP, and QoS mechanisms with the ability to perform latency and jitter analysis.
- Working knowledge of 802.11 internals (WiFi 6/6E) and RF propagation/interference fundamentals.
- Hands-on experience with the Linux wireless stack (nl80211, wpa_supplicant) and network drivers.
- Familiarity with network security (WPA3-Enterprise, 802.1X/EAP) and certificate/PKI lifecycles.
- Experience with robotics/embedded middleware like ROS2/DDS and containerization tools like Docker.
Nice to have: private 5G/CBRS deployment, video codec experience (H.264/H.265/AV1) and GStreamer pipeline tuning, multi-robot/fleet networking, and RF lab/measurement experience.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred. An EE/RF or networking background is a strong plus given the wireless focus of this role.
- 4+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on system-level software, including demonstrable depth in networking, wireless, or embedded-Linux connectivity.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
- Hearing and speech to communicate.
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Skills Required
- Proficiency in C++ within a Linux environment for system-level and real-time performance-sensitive code.
- Strong command of TCP/IP, UDP, and QoS mechanisms and ability to perform latency and jitter analysis.
- Working knowledge of 802.11 internals (WiFi 6/6E) and RF propagation/interference fundamentals.
- Hands-on experience with the Linux wireless stack (nl80211, wpa_supplicant) and network drivers.
- Familiarity with network security (WPA3-Enterprise, 802.1X/EAP) and certificate/PKI lifecycles.
- Experience with robotics/embedded middleware such as ROS2/DDS.
- Experience with containerization tools like Docker.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
- 4+ years of software engineering experience focused on system-level software, networking, wireless, or embedded-Linux connectivity.
- Ability to engineer wireless links to sustain ~100 Hz control/telemetry traffic with bounded tail latency and design safe-state link-loss behavior.
- Private 5G/CBRS deployment experience, video codec (H.264/H.265/AV1) and GStreamer pipeline tuning, multi-robot/fleet networking, and RF lab/measurement experience.
Apptronik Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical insurance through UnitedHealthcare includes multiple plan types with an employer-paid portion, alongside life and disability coverage. These core health benefits are presented as comprehensive for a fast-growing startup.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Company equity is explicitly included in total rewards, with performance bonuses and relocation assistance also listed. This ownership component adds longer-term upside beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Generous parental leave, family medical leave, and an onsite mother’s room are highlighted. These provisions indicate tangible support for caregiving needs.
Apptronik Insights
What We Do
Apptronik is building robots for the real world to improve human quality of life and to help solve the ever-increasing labor shortage problem. Our team has been building some of the most advanced robots on the planet for years, dating back to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. We apply our expertise across the full robotics stack to some of the most important and impactful problems our society faces, and expect our products and technology to change the world for the better. We value passion, creativity, and collaboration to help us overcome existing technological barriers in the industry to create truly innovative products.
Why Work With Us
At Apptronik, we don't see a future where man competes against machine. Instead, we envision a harmonious world where man and machine coexist. Our mission statement, "It is not Man vs. Machine, but Man + Machine," encapsulates our belief that the synergy between humans and robots will pave the way for a brighter, more advanced future.
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Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
