Software Developer - C++ (Co-op)

We are an innovative, Vancouver-based startup at the forefront of robotics, AI, and machine vision technologies. Backed by VC funding and we’ve been recognized with the 2025 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Leadership Award, the AAM Supplier Excellence Innovation Award, and the 2024 BC Tech “Company of the Year – Growth”, we are on a mission to redefine the future of AI-driven robotic vision systems. Apera AI helps manufacturers make their factories more flexible and productive. Robots enhanced with Apera’s software have 4D Vision – the ability to see and handle objects with human-like capability. Challenging applications such as bin picking, sorting, packaging, and assembly are now open to fast, precise, and reliable automation. Apera is led by an experienced team from high-growth companies focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

Role Overview:

Apera AI is seeking a Software Developer (Co-op) with strong C++ skills and an interest in robotics to join our Apera Vue engineering team for the 8 months term period (Sep 2026 - April 2027). You'll contribute to the development of real-time machine vision applications that power robotic systems across manufacturing and automation environments.

This role is based in-person at our Vancouver office.

In this role, you'll build features in C++, support image processing and robotics integration, and contribute to testing efforts in both simulated and physical lab environments. Your work will improve the performance, reliability, and scalability of a system used on real factory floors.

Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

Purpose
You'll contribute to the core of our 4D Vision Technology, helping robots perceive and act in complex, real-world environments. Your code will directly impact robotic accuracy, speed, and adaptability.

Growth
You'll deepen your understanding of robotics, computer vision, and modern C++ development. You'll gain experience working in a professional R&D environment with exposure to production code, lab hardware, and team-based workflows.

Motivators
You'll collaborate with engineers solving high-impact technical challenges. You'll take on meaningful tasks that go beyond academic exercises, seeing your code influence how robots make decisions in real time.

Major Objectives

• Develop and Ship Core C++ Features for Apera Vue Within the first 8-10 weeks, contribute a discrete feature or performance improvement to the Apera Vue application. [Tech: C++, Qt, OpenCV]
• Support Robotic Integration and Image Processing Assist in testing and debugging real-world vision system behavior with robotic systems in the lab. Identify edge cases and performance issues. Suggest and test code-level improvements. [Tech: Linear algebra, multithreading, image pipelines]
• Improve Code Quality through Testing and Review Participate in unit testing, test coverage expansion, and refactoring. Contribute to automated testing infrastructure to ensure robustness as the product scales. [Tools: CMake, Git, GTest, internal CI tools]

Critical Subtasks