Pre-Seed-Stage aus München.
WIE WIR ARBEITEN.
[ Owner statt Operator ]
Du bekommst Probleme, keine Tickets. Wie du sie löst entscheidest du, was du lieferst verantwortest du. Du fährst dein Projekt von Hypothese bis Real-Flight.
[ Qualität als Identität ]
Bei uns ist Qualität nicht verhandelbar. Code, Architektur und Output müssen Perfektion ausstrahlen. Wer mit 80 Prozent zufrieden ist, passt nicht hierher.
[ Honest Disagreement ]
Wir holen uns Skepsis aktiv rein. Wer früh Probleme sieht und benennt, ist Teil der Lösung. Unanimous agreement macht uns nervös.
WAS WIR BIETEN.
Real Engineering Problems
Sim-to-Real-Gap-Reduktion in adversarial Conditions. MSP-Override unter 10ms Latenz. Vision-based Tracking gegen erratisch manövrierende Targets. Engineering-Probleme die es woanders nicht gibt.
Direkter Founder-Zugang
Du sprichst mit den Leuten, die entscheiden. Zwei Founder, kein HR-Filter, keine Manager-Schicht. Decisions in Stunden, nicht Wochen.
Equity-Beteiligung
4-Jahre-Vesting, 1-Jahr-Cliff. VSOP-Pool implementiert. Du baust ein Unternehmen, nicht eine Stelle.
Defense-Tech mit echten Stakes
Counter-UAS-Capability für Europa. Defensiv, in Europa gebaut. Du arbeitest an Technologie die in den nächsten Jahren in den Sortimenten der NATO relevant wird.
OFFENE STELLEN.
Gehalt + Equity ab Funding-Close. München oder Remote-friendly (EU-Zeitzone).
The eyes of the interceptor.
A small drone flies at 150 km/h against a cluttered sky. You have one camera, an edge processor, and less than 10 milliseconds to detect, classify, and track it — starting from 200+ meters out. Our guidance law works. Our hardware is built. But if the vision pipeline loses the target, none of it matters. This is the hardest unsolved problem in our system — and the reason this role exists.
What You'll Do
- Build and optimize the real-time visual detection and tracking pipeline for aerial targets
- Deploy and fine-tune YOLO models on edge hardware (NVIDIA Jetson, RSP Hailo, Qualcomm QRB5)
- Train custom object detection models for small drone targets at long range (200m+)
- Implement model pruning, quantization, and TensorRT/RKNN acceleration for embedded deployment
- Work with sensor fusion between camera, IMU, and tracking algorithms for robust target lock
- Push the visual detection range to 300m+
What We're Looking For
- Hands-on experience developing and deploying object detection models on edge devices (Jetson, Hailo, Coral, or similar)
- Strong background in computer vision: detection, tracking, segmentation in real-time
- Experience with model optimization: TensorRT, ONNX, quantization, pruning
- Comfortable with Python and C++ in production pipelines
- Bonus: experience with aerial imagery, drone tracking, or defense/aerospace applications
- Bonus: familiarity with Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) or SLAM
The brain of the interceptor.
Our intercept guidance already works in simulation and controlled real-world environments. But that's V1. The real challenge: improving and fine-tuning the algorithm, building robust state estimation for noisy real-world sensors, and making the math work at full speed on real hardware. You take what works in sim and make it fly for real.
What You'll Do
- Improving the existing guidance system and exploring new approaches
- Design Kalman Filters (EKF/UKF) for target state estimation from noisy sensor data
- Integrate guidance algorithms into PX4 flight stacks via MAVLink, ROS2
- Build SITL/HITL test environments for systematic algorithm validation
- Implement sensor fusion for GPS-denied scenarios: camera tracking + IMU + barometer → robust state estimation
- Transition algorithms from simulation to real flight hardware
What We're Looking For
- Background in GNC, aerospace, robotics, or control systems engineering
- Experience with guidance/navigation algorithms or autonomous flight systems
- Strong mathematical foundations: control theory, state estimation, optimization
- Comfortable with C++ and Python in real-time systems
- Hands-on with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, or similar flight stacks
- Bonus: experience with drone hardware, SITL/HITL testing, or defense applications
- Bonus: publications or thesis work in guidance, tracking, or autonomous systems
Prove it works before it flies.
Before our interceptor ever leaves the ground, it needs to succeed in simulated engagements — different target speeds, wind conditions, sensor noise levels, evasion patterns. You build the virtual battlefield where our algorithms are forged and validated.
What You'll Do
- Build and maintain SITL/HITL simulation environments for end-to-end system testing
- Design simulation campaigns covering threat scenarios, edge cases, and failure modes
- Create automated test pipelines that validate algorithm changes against performance baselines
- Develop digital twin models of our drone, sensors, and target behavior
- Analyze flight data and simulation results to quantify system performance
- Bridge the sim-to-real gap: correlate simulation predictions with actual flight test data
What We're Looking For
- Experience with simulation frameworks: IsaacSim, Unity, Gazebo, AirSim, jMAVSim, or custom physics engines
- Background in aerospace, robotics, or defense testing and verification
- Strong scripting skills (Python) and data analysis capabilities
- Understanding of flight dynamics, sensor models, and stochastic simulation
- Bonus: experience with PX4 SITL, ROS2, or MATLAB/Simulink
- Bonus: V&V (Verification & Validation) methodology experience in safety-critical systems
Hands-on lab work, prototyping, flight testing.
We need someone physically in Munich to help build prototypes, run test flights, solder boards, and keep the lab running. You'll work directly with the founders on real hardware — from Jetson boards to carbon-fiber frames.
Design the airframe that makes interception possible.
Our interceptor needs to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 2 seconds, sustain 130+ km/h, and maneuver aggressively at close range. The prototype works — now we need a production-grade airframe designed for speed, structural integrity, and manufacturability.
Key Areas
- Airframe design and structural optimization for high-speed interception
- CFD simulation and aerodynamic analysis
- Propulsion system design and motor/prop optimization
- DFM (Design for Manufacturing) — from prototype to production
- Material selection, weight optimization, vibration analysis
Build the link that keeps the system connected.
An autonomous interceptor still needs reliable command, telemetry, and video downlinks — especially in contested electromagnetic environments. You'll design the communication architecture that works when everything else is being jammed.
Key Areas
- C2 (Command & Control) datalink design and implementation
- Telemetry systems and real-time data downlink
- Anti-jamming and frequency-hopping techniques
- RF spectrum analysis and electromagnetic compatibility
- Integration with MAVLink and ground control systems
Share your expertise. Shape a defense company.
We're a startup building an autonomous weapons system. We know what we don't know — and we're looking for experienced people who can help us avoid costly mistakes, make the right architectural decisions, and open the right doors. A few hours a month from the right person can change the trajectory of the entire company.
Areas Where We Need Advisors
- Drone Warfare & Defense Operations — Field experience with UAS, counter-UAS, or military drone programs. Understanding of real-world engagement scenarios, threat evolution, and operational requirements.
- Ukraine / Front-Line Experience — Direct exposure to FPV drone warfare, counter-UAS operations, or defense-tech development in Ukraine. Knowledge of real-world threat patterns, operational constraints, and what actually works on the ground.
- Aerospace & GNC — Deep expertise in guidance, navigation, control systems, flight dynamics, or missile/interceptor design. Academic or industry background.
- Computer Vision & Edge AI — Experience deploying perception systems on embedded hardware in real-time, safety-critical, or defense applications.
- Defense Procurement & Regulation — Knowledge of Bundeswehr acquisition (BAAINBw), NATO standards (STANAG), export control (Kriegswaffenkontrollgesetz), or defense startup funding.
What Advisors Get
- Equity participation — typically 0.1–0.5% with 2-year monthly vesting
- Monthly stipend (negotiable, depending on commitment)
- Direct line to both founders — no bureaucracy
- The satisfaction of shaping a company that might genuinely save lives
What We Expect
- 2–10 hours per month or more — whatever fits your schedule and the topic at hand
- Availability for a monthly call + async questions via Slack/Email
- Honest feedback — we want advisors who push back, not yes-people
- Introductions when appropriate (investors, partners, talent)
Unique skill combinations over job-title matches.
We're a pre-seed startup — we value unique skill combinations over job-title matches. If you believe you can contribute to building an autonomous interceptor drone and your background doesn't fit the roles above, tell us what you bring and why Herakles needs it.
ABLAUF.
Bewirb dich über das Formular unten. Sag uns für welche Rolle und füge deinen CV bei. Antwort in der Regel innerhalb 3–5 Werktagen.
30 Minuten mit den Foundern. Wir lernen uns gegenseitig kennen, sprechen über die Rolle und klären, ob es für beide Seiten passt.
5–10 Tage, definiertes Engineering-Output aus unserem Backlog, bezahlt nach Marktstandard pro Tag. Du produzierst, wir diskutieren.
7 Tage zum Entscheiden, kein Druck. Konkretes Angebot (Gehalt + Equity).