Robotic Software Intern/Co-op (Summer 2026)

Join the dynamic software team at Rugged Robotics, where we bring cutting-edge automation to life for construction layout robots! As a Robotics Software Intern at a start-up, you'll tackle real-world challenges, enhance the performance of existing products, and help design groundbreaking solutions for the next generation of robotic systems. This is your chance to make a tangible impact and shape the future of robotics in construction!

Internship / Coop Term: Summer 2026 (3 months starting in May)

Location: Onsite in Houston, TX

The Role

• Iteratively prototype and test software directly on hardware platforms in our labs and on our customer’s jobsites.
• Write the code that improves the speed, precision, and reliability of our current robotic platform by investigating, modifying and refining existing system kinematics, algorithms, and software features.
• Quickly generate prototypes and proof-of-concept algorithms while collaborating with team-members in the field to troubleshoot, diagnose, determine the root-cause, and implement solutions to issues discovered on deployment.
• Make informed & objective engineering decisions by creating simulations, methodically running experiments, and conducting analyses with a range of techniques.

You Are

• Experienced working with software and electromechanical systems from a prior internship, extra-curricular project, or lab research.
• Knowledgeable with relevant areas of robotics & control such as kinematics, sensor fusion, path planning, perception, calibration algorithms, and firmware development.
• Comfortable with development on hardware systems including ROS, Python, C++ and familiar with common coding practices including revision control and CI/CM
• Hands-on with deploying code on physical hardware and root causing bugs related to mechanical, electrical, and software issues.
• Enthusiastic about learning new techniques & technologies and are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.