Company Summary

Lobster Robotics engineers autonomous underwater vehicles for precision seabed mapping. Our technology delivers millimetre-scale data for offshore energy and security of critical underwater infrastructure. In the past year, we expanded to 21 people and shifted from prototype to operational deployment. We combine research depth with field pragmatism, building systems that work in the real world. Backed by strong traction from the Dutch Navy and increasing involvement in NATO trials, we’re entering a phase of rapid scaling. We are looking for experienced engineers and passionate interns who can independently shape and deliver the next generation of underwater perception and mapping technology.

Overview
We are starting a new series of testing to qualify each part of the Scout for high-pressure deep-sea conditions and mass production. Testing a Scout requires the endurance, reproducibility, and scaling that only an automated system can provide.

Currently, a significant amount of our production time is dedicated to testing, particularly when it comes to circuit boards. We want to optimize this process to elevate our overall test quality and create a seamless production workflow. By automating these steps, we will empower our hardware design team to focus fully on what they do best: designing the next generation of deep-sea technology.

The solution is to make test automation easy and accessible for everyone. You will write clean Python code for individual lab instruments so they can talk to each other effortlessly. In the end, starting a complex, automated test should be as fast and simple as plugging in a physical cable and typing a few short commands.

What You’ll Do

• Research & Architecture: Dive into prior work on hardware testing (e.g., OpenHTF, Exclave). You will test and benchmark the top 3 frameworks, presenting their pros and cons to our project leadership.

• Develop Instrument Interfaces: Write Python interfaces for a wide range of lab equipment. You will start with simpler tools (Power supplies and multimeters) and gradually move to complex and safety-critical systems like Rigol oscilloscopes, thermal chambers, and pressure chambers.

• Framework Integration & Validation: Integrate your instrument interfaces into the chosen testing framework, validate their reliability, and debug hardware-in-the-loop failures.

• Documentation & UI: Document your interfaces clearly with ready-to-execute examples. You'll also work towards a clear UI and robust logging so any team member can easily run tests and reference data in the field.

What We’re Looking For

• A strong Software Developer background combining an interest in  electronics.

• Python Proficiency: Confident programming in Python at a BSc Computer Science level.

• Embedded Linux: Hands-on experience with Raspberry Pi or similar embedded Linux platforms.

• Bonus Points: Familiarity with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, electronic loads), SCPI instrument control (PyVISA / USB-TMC), industrial protocols (CAN bus), or test frameworks like OpenHTF and pytest.

Why It’s Cool

• Your work directly improves the quality and end-state of next-gen underwater systems.

• Your automation framework will solve production bottlenecks. Your work directly empowers the design team to focus on innovation and accelerates the deployment of the Scout.

• You'll collaborate with seasoned engineers and test your solutions in real-world conditions.

Requirements

• Systematic Debugging: You are comfortable forming hypotheses from output data and methodically testing them against real, physical hardware.

• Self-Directed & Autonomous: You can pick up an unfamiliar codebase, read through documentation, and independently drive a project forward.

• Detail-Oriented: You instantly notice when sensor readings look slightly off and actively catch edge cases in data-processing logic.

This is what we expect you to bring to the table:

You have extensive practical experience designing and building projects outside your academic studies. We seek a candidate with a strong portfolio of projects, prepared to showcase examples during the interview and provide detailed explanations of their functionality, design decisions, challenges faced, and solutions implemented. Your past projects demonstrate reliability and innovative, yet simple designs. You excel at working independently, proactively seek structured feedback, and prioritize collaboration and clear communication.

Our values

We value clarity, ingenuity, and safety. If something goes wrong, we expect clear communication, a smart workaround, and a safe process. That’s how we operate.

We also care about impact. Our drones reduce CO₂ emissions by replacing large survey ships. They help protect marine ecosystems and support the safety of critical infrastructure.

What we offer you

• End-to-end ownership of technically complex projects — from concept to deployment

• A role in shaping our next-gen underwater drones and autonomy stack

• Friendly team of colleagues who are happy to help when required

• A workplace where planning is taken seriously, and your time is respected

• Internship compensation of €500 per month

Interested in working with us?

Send your CV and cover letter to hr@lobster-robotics.com and we will come back to you as soon as possible.