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Senior Software Engineer, Pilots

Hayden AI

Hayden AI

Software Engineering
San Francisco, CA, USA
USD 200,454-260,590 / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 27, 2026

Location

San Francisco HQ Office

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

Hybrid

Department

Research & DevelopmentPerception

Compensation

  • Estimated Base Salary $200,454 – $260,590 • Offers Equity • Offers Bonus

We determine fair compensation for each position by considering market rates, qualifications, experience, and location.

This job posting reflects a salary range based on different levels within the position, which are primarily determined by location. Your interview performance will help us determine your base salary offer within this range.

Keep in mind that salary is just one piece of Hayden's total compensation package. We also offer equity and a company-wide bonus plan. Additional benefits are shared as part of this job posting.

Benefits and Perks

There are endless learning and development opportunities from a highly diverse and talented peer group, including experts in a wide range of fields (AI, Computer Vision, Government Contracting, Systems & Device Engineering, Operations, Communications, and more!)

  • Options for medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents (for US employees)

  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)

  • 401(k) with 3% company matching

  • Unlimited PTO

  • Daily catered lunches in our San Francisco office


At Hayden AI, we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We believe that our differences make us stronger and drive innovation. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We are dedicated to fostering a work environment that celebrates diversity and ensures that every individual has the opportunity to contribute to our mission and achieve their full potential.

Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Hayden AI employees or any other company location. Hayden AI is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

About Us

At Hayden AI, we are on a mission to harness the power of computer vision to transform the way transit systems and other government agencies address real-world challenges.

From bus lane and bus stop enforcement to transportation optimization technologies and beyond, our innovative mobile perception system empowers our clients to accelerate transit, enhance street safety, and drive toward a sustainable future.

Job Summary

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Pilots team within the Perception organization, you will be responsible for developing prototypes for forthcoming pilots, aligning with Hayden’s mission and long-term roadmap for business expansion.

This team investigates novel use cases, vehicles, and deployment environments, expeditiously translating preliminary concepts into functional prototypes. You will construct comprehensive end-to-end perception and robotics systems designed to operate on real-world hardware and capable of scaling into Hayden’s core product platform.

This is a C++ software engineering generalist position emphasizing robotics and systems expertise. You will function with a substantial degree of ownership, navigating complexity to meticulously design, implement, and fortify solutions that judiciously balance rapid experimentation with sustained maintainability.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Deliver robust, thoroughly tested, and maintainable C++ code tailored for edge and robotics platforms.

  • Design, implement, and take ownership of prototype perception systems with the potential to transition into production-grade solutions.

  • Construct and iteratively refine real-time perception pipelines, encompassing detection, tracking, and sensor fusion methodologies.

  • Adapt, refine, and integrate Machine Learning (ML) and Computer Vision (CV) models, including leveraging open-source solutions, for novel, Hayden-specific applications.

  • Drive technical decision-making in ambiguous problem spaces, effectively balancing the speed required for prototyping with the requirements for production readiness.

  • Collaborate closely with the Product team and cross-functional Engineering departments.

  • Contribute to shared infrastructure, tooling, and architectural patterns as pilot initiatives mature into foundational products.

Required Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a closely related discipline. A PhD is considered advantageous.

  • 5-8 years of relevant experience in building and deploying perception systems; experience in automotive or robotics domains is a plus.

  • Substantial background in a minimum of one of the following domains: robotics, state estimation, computer vision, or applied machine learning.

  • Senior-level industrial experience in the delivery of intricate, production-grade software systems.

  • Demonstrated proficiency in modern C++, coupled with experience in real-time systems.

  • Experience in the construction and ownership of end-to-end systems, rather than merely isolated components.

  • Capability to operate effectively in ambiguous and rapidly evolving environments.

  • Proven capacity to collaborate constructively within a developing engineering organization.

Compensation Range: $200,454 - $260,590