Robotics Engineer · Bregenz, Austria

Federica
Cappucci

> Full-Stack AUV Development & Collaborative Robotics _

ROSC++ · PythonGazebo Control SystemsPath PlanningUnderwater Robotics

🌍 Bregenz, Austria  ·  Originally from Italy  ·  Available for relocation

// 01 — About

Who I am

I'm a robotics engineer specializing in the full-stack development of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and collaborative robot arms — from sensor drivers and embedded software to high-level ROS architectures and real-world hardware validation.

Originally from Italy, I studied Computer Engineering at the University of Pavia (BSc + MSc), before moving to Austria to join Subdron GmbH in Bregenz, where I currently develop and maintain the software stack of an AUV.

My work sits at the intersection of hardware and software: writing modular ROS pipelines, validating systems in Gazebo simulation, and deploying them in actual underwater environments with the Sparus2 AUV.

3+
Years Professional Experience
4
Major Projects Shipped
3
Languages Spoken
15+
Technologies Mastered
// 02 — Experience

Work History

Jan 2024 — Present
Robotics Engineer (Full-time)
Subdron GmbH · Bregenz, Austria
  • Cross-functional Startup Role: Flexible management of multiple technical domains, from development of ROS nodes and low-level drivers to the development of GUIs.
  • ROS Architecture: Developed and maintained modular robotics software architecture using ROS (C++/Python), contributing to the core product evolution and adapting it to execute client-requested underwater scenarios.
  • Simulation & Field Validation: Conducted comprehensive system validation both in simulation using Gazebo and through real-world underwater testing to verify software and hardware functionality.
  • Quality Assurance & Mentoring: Actively participated in peer code reviews to maintain high software standards and took responsibility for onboarding and training new colleagues on the system architecture.
  • Commercial Field Campaigns: Operated the AUV system during commercial data collection campaigns, ensuring reliable operation and data quality in real underwater environments.
ROSC++Python GazeboLinuxGit BitbucketJiraConfluence
Sep 2023 — Dec 2023
Erasmus+ Robotics Intern
Subdron GmbH · Bregenz, Austria
  • R&D / Collision Avoidance: Conducted research and feasibility studies for the integration of a collision avoidance algorithm into the existing software architecture.
  • ROS Development: Developed and integrated new ROS nodes to expand the functionalities of AUV's existing software architecture.
  • Field Operations: Actively participated in data collection campaigns, operating the AUV system to perform real-world underwater software testing.
ROSGazeboPythonC++
Oct 2022 — 2023
Robotics Engineer Intern (Master's Thesis)
Atom S.p.A. · Vigevano, Italy
  • Motion Planning & Simulation: Designed and implemented a MATLAB-based A* pathfinding and collision avoidance algorithm, validating trajectories within a 3D CoppeliaSim environment (LUA) before deploying on a Universal Robot UR5 cobot.
  • Mechatronics Integration & Control: Designed and implemented a multi-Arduino control architecture to automate an industrial shoe-bonding process integrated with a Universal Robot UR10.
  • Embedded & Hardware Control: Developed firmware to regulate the glue extruder, implemented and tuned a PID control loop for precise temperature maintenance of heating elements, and actuated a motor for automated cleaning.
  • Industrial Communication & Robotics: Programmed robot manipulation routines in URScript and established TCP/IP communication protocols to seamlessly interface the UR10 robot with the Arduino microcontrollers.
MATLABCoppeliaSim LUAURScript UR5UR10Arduino
// 03 — Skills

Technical Stack

Programming Languages
C++PythonC LUAURScriptMATLAB SimulinkJavaAssembly (MIPS)
Robotics & Simulation
ROSGazebo CoppeliaSimArduino
Tools & Operating Systems
Linux (Ubuntu)Windows GitJira BitbucketConfluence
Hardware
UR5UR10 Sparus2 AUVArduino
Soft Skills
Stress ResilienceProblem-Solving OrganizationTeamworking Technical Mentoring
// 04 — Projects

Selected Work

⬡ Professional
AUV Full-Stack Development

End-to-end development of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle at Subdron GmbH — from sensor driver integration and modular ROS architecture, to validation in Gazebo and real-world underwater missions with the Sparus2.

ROSC++Python GazeboSparus2
START END
⬡ Professional
A* Collision Avoidance on UR5

Design and implementation of an A*-based collision avoidance and path-planning system. Validated in CoppeliaSim, then deployed on a Universal Robots UR5 arm for real industrial use. Master's thesis at Atom S.p.A.

MATLABCoppeliaSim LUAURScriptUR5
ARDUINO MEMS SENSORS
⬡ Academic
MEMS-Based Controller for Virtual Table Soccer

Conceptualized and built the hardware architecture for a custom controller, integrating a microcontroller with three MEMS sensors for real-time motion tracking. Developed embedded C firmware to sample, filter, and process raw inertial data. Bachelor's thesis project.

ArduinoC Embedded SystemsMEMS Sensors
// 05 — Education & Volunteering

Academic Background

2020 — 2023
M.Sc. Computer Engineering
Embedded & Control Systems
University of Pavia · Pavia, Italy
2016 — 2020
B.Sc. Computer & Electronics Engineering
 
University of Pavia · Pavia, Italy
2011 — 2016
High School Diploma
Computer Science and Telecommunications
IISS 'Luigi Di Maggio'
2017 — 2022
Volunteering: International Student Mentor
Buddy System (Mentoring foreign Erasmus students)
University of Pavia
// 06 — Languages

Languages

Italian
Native
English
C1 — Advanced
German
A2 — Basic