Company Overview:
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.
With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous venture acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Software Engineer with a speciality in Robotics. In this position you will be responsible for turning computer vision output into precise, safe motion — running real-time control loops, and getting the turret pointed exactly where we want it, when we want it.
We’re hiring across multiple experience levels, including:
Associate Software Engineer.
Software Engineer.
Senior Software Engineer.
Staff Software Engineer.
Senior Staff Software Engineer.
Your title and level will be determined based on your experience, skills, and the scope of responsibility appropriate for the role.
What You'll Do:
Control robot motion to track drones under tight real-time constraints.
Develop and tune real-time control loops for accurate, stable pointing.
Own calibration routines and coordinate-frame transforms across the sensor/actuator chain.
Define and negotiate a robust software/hardware contract at the actuation handoff, minimizing rework.
Enforce safety constraints on motion (limits, no-fire zones, fault handling) as a first-class design concern.
What You'll Need:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
Strong proficiency in C++ for real-time/deterministic code; Python for tooling and analysis.
Solid grounding in linear algebra, kinematics, and coordinate transforms.
Experience with real-time or low-latency systems and performance optimization.
Control theory fundamentals (PID and beyond).
You'll Stand Out:
Robotics frameworks (ROS/ROS 2) and Eigen.
Advanced control (MPC, LQR, state estimation / Kalman filtering).
Motor / servo / actuator control and sensor calibration.
Real-time Linux, deterministic scheduling, or safety-critical systems experience.
What We Offer:
Competitive salary
ACS Equity Package
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems 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
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
- Strong proficiency in C++ for real-time/deterministic code.
- Proficiency in Python for tooling and analysis.
- Solid grounding in linear algebra, kinematics, and coordinate transforms.
- Experience with real-time or low-latency systems and performance optimization.
- Control theory fundamentals (PID and beyond).
- Experience with robotics frameworks (ROS/ROS 2) and Eigen.
- Advanced control methods (MPC, LQR) and state estimation / Kalman filtering.
- Motor/servo/actuator control and sensor calibration experience.
- Real-time Linux, deterministic scheduling, or safety-critical systems experience.
Allen Control Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health, dental, and vision coverage are consistently listed as employer‑provided across current role descriptions, indicating a solid core healthcare offering. This aligns with the startup‑standard package the company advertises.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is explicitly advertised alongside core health benefits in multiple postings. While accrual details aren’t shown publicly, its consistent inclusion signals baseline time‑off coverage.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An “ACS Equity Package” is repeatedly called out in job descriptions, suggesting equity grants are a standard component of total compensation. Visibility of equity across roles points to broad access to ownership upside, with specifics to be confirmed.
Allen Control Systems Insights
What We Do
Allen Control Systems is a defense technology company for a new era of drone warfare and to completely change battlefield economics. ACS is developing counter-drone robotic gun systems targeted at neutralizing attacking drone swarms, drones that are pre-programmed with AI, and drones that are non-jammable. ACS was created to lower the cost per kill of a drone to a few dollars. We do this by combining cutting-edge hardware and software that allows us to point an inexpensive gun that already exists in the field more accurately than anyone ever has before. ACS is a remote organization, with our HQ in Austin, Texas, and an office in Alexandria, Va. If you're passionate about our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
Allen Control Systems Offices
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