About this role
Helsing builds AI-based capabilities and enabling infrastructure that allow semi-autonomous platforms to localise, navigate, and perceive the world in real time. Engineers in this initiative develop mission-critical software operating under significant technical constraints and changing environments, ensuring reliability for high-risk situations.
Early-career engineers join the Deployed AI and Software Engineering teams through a craft-first hiring path called Bring Something Awesome to Apply (BSA2A). Participants bypass traditional resume screens by submitting a short prerecorded video walkthrough of a technical project they built, which is evaluated directly by engineers rather than algorithms.
What you will do
- Develop software capabilities and infrastructure for semi-autonomous platforms operating in constantly-changing environments.
- Communicate architectural decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders in English.
- Deconstruct unfamiliar systems independently through deep technical investigation and problem-solving.
- Collaborate with team members through code reviews and pair programming.
- Write code independently without relying on LLMs.
- Engage in discussions regarding the ethical implications of technology use in defence.
What you need
- Communicate well in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrate engineering depth through code quality, architectural choices, and systems-level thinking.
- Solve complex technical challenges autonomously using first-principles reasoning.
- Reason about and write code independently without relying on LLMs.
Nice to have
- Experience with Python and Rust
- Familiarity with backend interface tools like REST, GraphQL, gRPC/Protocol Buffers, and Arrow
- Knowledge of container-based, cloud-native, and edge application architectures
- Experience with hardware interfaces such as Arduino
- Experience with robotics such as control systems
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the BSA2A hiring path?
BSA2A is a direct, craft-first hiring path designed specifically for early-career engineers. Instead of an initial CV and recruiter screen, you apply by submitting a short prerecorded video walkthrough of something technically compelling you have built.
Who evaluates the video submissions?
Every video is evaluated directly by a Helsing engineer rather than an algorithm or automated keyword filter. Eligible candidates who pass this stage move into an accelerated, streamlined technical assessment.
What does the interview process look like?
The process includes an expression of interest form followed by a video submission. Selected candidates complete two 60-minute technical interviews covering a project deep dive, systems design, and live coding, followed by a 30-minute final conversation with engineering leadership.
Can I use LLMs during the coding assessments?
Candidates must be able to reason about and write code independently without relying on LLMs. The company operates in environments where LLM use is not always permitted, so interviews are designed around the candidate's own thinking.