Company

NestAI is a European AI lab for defence delivering the adaptive operating system for modern battlefield operations. We develop adaptive intelligence for unmanned and command systems: AI that continuously learns from operational data and adapts to changing conditions.

NestOS is our open, modular and interoperable platform that enables this at scale and keeps capability evolution under sovereign European control. Founded in 2025 by Peter Sarlin, whose previous company Silo AI became Europe's largest AI acquisition, NestAI brings together over 150 engineers and scientists and partners with leading European defence forces and industry.

Role Description

We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our team. This is a role for someone who thrives close to the hardware and possesses the rare skill of extreme resource optimization. You will be responsible for ensuring that our physical AI runs with peak power efficiency and minimal memory footprint in highly constrained environments.

In this position, we have two primary paths depending on your strengths and career interests: Internal Product R&D and Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE).

• Internal Product R&D: You will focus on building, scaling, and maintaining the core shared platform and deep edge architecture that power our long-term product vision. In this path, you will be at the very roots of our technology, focusing on deep edge platform development. You will be a key stakeholder in our end-to-end architecture, working on a shared platform that powers our core products.

• Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE): Embedded directly in our customer's development environment, FDE squads shorten the path from development to fielded capability, validating product capability where assumptions are tested against operational reality. This path is dynamic and highly impactful, where you will navigate shifting environments, collaborate with external stakeholders, and solve complex engineering challenges where adaptability is key.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Low-Level Optimization: Designing and implementing highly optimized code where every byte and milliwatt counts.

• Platform Development: Developing and refining a unified edge platform used across multiple high-profile AI projects.

• AI-Augmented Engineering: Leveraging and championing AI-assisted development tools to accelerate and enhance the coding process.

• Iterative Innovation: Working in a "try and fail" environment where curiosity leads to breakthroughs. You will collaborate closely with the testing team to validate and iterate on platform performance.

• Hardware Integration: Deep-level integration with sensors and microcontrollers, ensuring seamless co-design between software and physical components.

Qualifications

• Deep experience (minimum of 5 years) in embedded systems

• Deep proficiency in Python and C/C++ and a track record of working close to the hardware

• Proven ability to optimize memory consumption and power performance

• A strong mindset for AI-assisted programming. You have already adapted AI tools into your daily workflow to increase productivity and code quality.

• Despite having a focused scope, you are a team player who excels in the iterative co-operation required between development and testing.

• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or industrial automation is a plus, but deep technical capability at the hardware level is our priority.

Why join NestAI

At NestAI, you’ll build meaningful, real-world technology as part of a world-class team of engineers, scientists, and experienced professionals. You’ll work on systems where reliability genuinely matters, contribute to Europe’s security and resilience, and solve problems that demand depth, trust, and craftsmanship.

If you want to build with purpose — and with leading experts in the field — you’ve come to the right place.

Perks & Benefits

We offer a growing set of practical benefits to support your work and wellbeing, day to day:

• Occupational healthcare (currently provided by Mehiläinen)

• Epassi Flex benefit (sports, culture, commuting, wellbeing)

• Lunch benefit (25% tax-free coverage)

• Auntie (mental wellbeing services)

• Regular team lunches and all-hands events

• Your choice of Mac or PC

• Holiday allowance (50% of holiday salary)

• Phone benefit according to company policy (subscription and device)

We are continuously developing and expanding our benefits as we grow.

Practicalities

Employment is subject to applicable security clearance (TURSEL).

NestAI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants based on their skills, experience, and potential.

We are currently unable to provide visa sponsorship or international relocation support for this position. Candidates must already be based in Finland or in the EU and have a valid work permit for this region at the time of application.