Software Engineer - Acuity Framework

Applied Compute

Applied Compute

Software Engineering

Ann Arbor, MI, USA

USD 125k-175k / year + Equity

Posted on May 6, 2026

Location

Ann Arbor

Employment Type

Full time

Department

Government

About the role

We're seeking a Software Engineer to join our Acuity Autonomy Framework team, working on a cutting-edge framework solution that enables collaborative autonomy behaviors in multi-domain environments. In this role, you'll develop core software systems, integrate with domain-specific platforms, and support multidisciplinary engineering efforts across the organization.

This is an opportunity to work on foundational software that powers autonomous systems operating in complex, real-world scenarios. You'll collaborate with autonomy engineers, domain experts, and product teams to build robust, scalable frameworks that enable collaborative behaviors across air, ground, and maritime domains.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

  • Develop Core Framework Software: Design and implement high-performance C++ systems that form the foundation of collaborative autonomy behaviors in multi-domain environments

  • Enable Collaborative Autonomy: Develop software that allows multiple autonomous agents to coordinate and collaborate across different operational domains

  • Support Multidisciplinary Teams: Work closely with autonomy engineers, product managers, and customers to understand requirements and deliver solutions

  • Leverage Modern Development Tools: Heavily utilize agentic coding tools and AI assistants to accelerate development and improve code quality

  • Optimize Performance: Profile, debug, and optimize code for real-time performance in resource-constrained environments

  • Automate Workflows: Create scripts and tools to improve development velocity and testing efficiency

We're looking for someone who has:

  • 2+ years of professional software engineering experience

  • Strong C++ programming skills with experience in modern C++ (C++20 or later)

  • Experience with Python and shell scripting for automation and tooling

  • Proficiency with agentic coding tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar AI-assisted development tools

  • Strong understanding of software design patterns, data structures, and algorithms

  • Experience with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows

  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Travel Requirements:

  • Must be willing to travel as projects require, usually for SW/HW integration and/or demonstrations; estimated average travel is 2-5 days every other month (10-20%)

Security Requirements:

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen

  • Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: click here.

Nice to have:

  • Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, or real-time control systems

  • Familiarity with distributed systems and multi-agent coordination

  • Knowledge of network programming and inter-process communication (IPC)

  • Experience with build systems (CMake, Bazel) and CI/CD pipelines

  • Understanding of software testing methodologies and frameworks

  • Background in defense systems, aerospace, or maritime applications

  • Experience with data serialization formats (Protocol Buffers, FlatBuffers, Cap'n Proto)

  • Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)

  • Contributions to open-source projects

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Please reference the job posting subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $125,000 to $175,000 USD annually.