Robotic hardware engineer, rapid integration & test

Mirai is building the first AI‑driven autonomy platform for vessels under 100 ft, combining advanced robotics, sensor fusion, and onboard intelligence to make every boat autonomous, safer, and dramatically easier to operate. Beyond enabling crewed vessels, Mirai also develops next‑generation Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) — uncrewed platforms designed for exploration, utility missions, and operational support — all powered by the same Operating System and multi‑layer autonomy framework.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated rapid integration and test robotic engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for integrating hardware and software systems onto unmanned vehicles, and working closely with cross-functional teams to rapidly prototype, validate and iterate on end‑to‑end autonomy solutions — transforming early concepts into reliable, field‑ready robotic systems.

You will work at the intersection of robotics, AI software, hardware integration and field testing, contributing to the development and integration of Mirai’s autonomy stack across prototype platforms. We are looking for the kind of nerd who genuinely loves building robots!

Key Responsibilities

Robotics & Autonomy Development

• Contribute to perception, planning and control modules using ROS2, Isaac ROS, PyTorch and NVIDIA simulation tools.

• Help design, implement and test reinforcement-learning models and autonomy behaviours in simulation and real platforms.

Hardware & Systems Integration

• Lead the design, construction, and testing of UAS prototypes, efficiently transforming concepts into functional early-stage products.

• Integrate hardware components onto unmanned vehicles, including sensors, actuators, and control systems.

• Integrate electronic components and ensure seamless communication between hardware and software systems.

• Integrate and validate multi-sensor stacks (LiDAR, radar, vision, GNSS, IMU).

• Assemble and bring-up hardware prototypes, including compute units, power systems, actuators and electronic components.

• Support development of Mirai’s sensor-fusion hardware platform.

Prototyping & Field Testing

• Lead/support rapid prototyping for autonomous vessel configurations.

• Conduct feasibility studies, simulations, and performance evaluations to optimize hardware designs.

• Develop and execute test plans to validate hardware functionality and reliability.

• Identify and troubleshoot hardware issues, implementing effective solutions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with mechanical, systems and software teams to align design, simulation and field results.

• Contribute to documentation and integration processes.

Required Qualifications

• Being a nerd who actually wants to build robots — someone who loves to tinker, solder, tune, prototype, break things, fix them again, and thrive in the delightful mess of real hardware.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.

• EU passport (or unrestricted right to work in Italy) and availability to work primarily on-site in Puglia (Bari area), with regular presence in lab, workshop and dock environments.

• Hands-on skills with robotics hardware, sensor integration and embedded systems.

• Knowledge of software development practices and programming languages pertinent to autonomy and robotics (e.g., Python, C++, ROS).

• Experience with ROS2, PX4/ArduPilot or similar autopilot stacks.

• Experience with rapid prototyping (3D printing, mechanical assembly, electronics bring-up).

• Ability to diagnose integration problems.

• Comfort with field testing and on-water prototyping.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAV/UAS integration or multi-sensor robotic systems.

• Familiarity with Pixhawk, vehicle control systems or maritime autonomy.

• Exposure to NVIDIA Jetson, Isaac Sim, RL or perception pipelines.

• Knowledge of control theory or real-time robotics.

• Experience operating drones, small vessels or unmanned systems.

What We Offer

• Work on the most advanced autonomous maritime platform in Europe.

• Direct involvement with edge AI and real-world autonomy.

• Fast engineering culture from simulation to sea trials.

• On-site role in Puglia (Bari area), working hands-on in lab, workshop and dock environments (with limited flexibility for hybrid work once established in the role).

• Shape the future of maritime autonomy.

Join Us

If you want to build robots that operate in the wild, Mirai is the place to grow.