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Sergey Molchanov

@sergeymolchanov

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Robotics software engineer specializing in ROS2, embedded, and autonomy.

Serbia

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What I'm looking for

I seek hands-on roles developing ROS2-based autonomy and embedded systems where I can lead navigation, perception, and behavior engineering, work with field-tested platforms, and grow in safety-focused AI/robotics teams.

I am a robotics software engineer with industry experience building ROS2-based autonomy, embedded firmware, and AI-driven robot behaviors. I combine hands-on low-level firmware work with higher-level navigation, perception, and behavior orchestration.

At startups I developed autonomous demos and production-feasible stacks using C++, Python, ROS2 (Humble), Nav2, SLAM, BehaviorTrees, and YOLOv8, and conducted AI safety experiments with LLM control on embedded Linux platforms. I have run field tests and collected empirical data to validate behaviors.

My background includes embedded C for microcontrollers, experience with Jetson and Raspberry Pi platforms, Dockerized development workflows, and toolchains built around Git and CMake. I have led feature work and package overhauls that improved system robustness and testability.

I hold graduate studies in robotics and a B.Sc. in Robotics, with achievements in national hackathons and competitions. I enjoy acting, film, game design, and yoga, and I bring collaborative leadership from student projects and event management to technical teams.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Robotics Software Engineer

Current

Palisade Research

Oct 2025 - Present (4 months)

Built an autonomous perimeter patrol demo for Unitree Go2 combining C++, Python, ROS2 Humble, SLAM mapping, Nav2 navigation, YOLOv8 person detection, and BehaviorTree-based coordination; conducted AI safety experiments on shutdown avoidance with LLM control and collected experimental data.

C++Python YOLOv8 Behavior Trees Linux Docker

Junior Robotics Software Engineer

Coalescent Mobile Robotics

Jan 2023 - Aug 2023 (7 months)

Managed Nav2 Behavior Trees package for wheeled robot movement planning, developing 20+ behavior nodes in C++ and overhauling the package to improve testability, robustness, and statistics collection through field tests.

C++Behavior Trees Linux Docker Git

Embedded Software Engineer

MSU CanSat Team

Jun 2018 - Jul 2019 (1 year 1 month)

Led development of a satellite-in-a-can that flew to 1km and collected data; designed low-level C firmware for ATmega microcontroller interfacing accelerometer, barometer, radio, and memory via I2C/SPI/UART.

C++Embedded Systems I2C SPI UART Sensors Firmware

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

ITMO University

Bachelor of Science, Robotics

2019 - 2024

Bachelor of Science in Robotics with a thesis on state-of-the-art object tracking algorithms and coursework in programming, control theory, machine learning, and systems.

University of Southern Denmark

Graduate Studies, Robotics

2022 - 2023

Graduate studies in Robotics with projects in navigation, guidance & control and embodied AI, including a 4-rotor drone simulation and PID stabilization work.