Founding Engineer, Avionics & Embedded Systems (M/F)
“The Rover's Nervous System”
Location: Perpignan (France)
Contract type: Permanent contract (Junior Premium Profile / Recent Graduate)
Salary: €45k - €50k + Equity (BSPCE)
Availability: Last quarter of 2026
About RoverXplorer: The Architect of Critical Mobility
RoverXplorer is a Dual-Use Deep Tech startup that is redefining autonomous mobility for the most hostile environments in the universe. Our belief is simple: technologies designed to survive on the Moon or Mars are the only ones capable of guaranteeing the absolute reliability required for defense logistics on Earth.
Thanks to our “Validate/Specialize/Scale” strategy, we are developing a unified modular platform capable of withstanding the impossible: radiation, thermal vacuum, cryogenics, and intense interference. Our first major milestone is the R-One, a technology demonstrator weighing less than 30 kg designed to validate Level 3 autonomy.
At our company, you don't just work on a simple component. You build the brain of a resilient explorer, designed to decide and act where failure is not an option.
Your Mission: Critical Systems Architecture
Reporting directly to the CTO, you will be responsible for electronic architecture and information processing (Command & Data Handling). Your challenge will be to design a system capable of managing massive data flows (NavCams) while maintaining total determinism under severe environmental constraints.
Your key responsibilities:
FPGA + SoC Architecture Design: Mastering the architecture on COTS components (such as Xilinx Zynq) to validate algorithms on the R-One, while preparing the migration to hardened (Rad-Hard) solutions for future RX (Space) models.
Stream & Data Pipeline Processing: Develop and optimize high-performance data pipelines, ensuring the smooth transfer of stereo images to the SoC for GNC processing.
High-Reliability PCB Design: Complete the entire design in Altium or KiCad, integrating the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) constraints essential for countering electronic interference.
Critical Interfaces: Implement and test robust communication protocols (RS-422, Ethernet, CAN bus) for data exchange with the payload and telemetry.
Low-Level Software & RTOS: Configure and deploy real-time environments (FreeRTOS) to ensure deterministic control of actuators and mass storage management (128 GB SSD).
The profile we are looking for
We are looking for a “systems” profile, capable of understanding the interaction between electrons and code.
Education: Recent graduate from an elite engineering school (ENSEA, Telecom Paris, IMT Atlantique, ESIEE, or equivalent) with a specialization in Electronics or Embedded Systems.
Technical expertise: Proficiency in VHDL/Verilog and the Vivado environment.
Solid experience in designing complex electronic boards (multi-layer PCBs).
Good command of the C language for development on microcontrollers and SoCs.
Hands-on culture: You are passionate about technology and have already “burned components” and successfully flown drones, launched student rockets (C'Space), or participated in Eurobot.
Mindset: Analytical mind, ability to optimize every milliwatt of consumption, and passion for technological survival in hostile environments (NewSpace & Defense).
Pourquoi nous rejoindre ?
The Dual-Use Adventure: Your electronic architecture will be at the heart of machines exploring the Moon and protecting convoys on Earth.
Immediate Impact: As a founding engineer, you will select components and define standards for our modular platform.
Culture of Excellence: An agile team where we solve “space-level” problems on a daily basis.
Founder Package: A competitive salary and equity (BSPCE) to partner with RoverXplorer's growth.
A word about the region
Working on our rovers in Perpignan means combining cutting-edge technological requirements with an exceptional living environment. Here, we are designing the future of mobile robotics with 300 days of sunshine a year, between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains. Choosing Perpignan means enjoying the quality of life of the South while remaining connected to one of the world's largest technological ecosystems: Toulouse, the European capital of space and aeronautics, is only a 2-hour drive away. You will be working in a vibrant and authentic innovation hub, while remaining in close proximity to research centers and space experts. This is a rare opportunity to build exceptional robots where others come to spend their vacations.
Ready to connect to the future?
We don't want a formal cover letter. Show us your passion:
Send us your resume.
Include a link to your GitHub or a portfolio of your electronic projects (photos of your boards, schematics, VHDL code snippets).
Bonus: What is the craziest electronic constraint you have had to deal with in a project?
Submit your application here: recrutement@roverxplorer.com