Principal Robotics Engineer

Principal Robotics EngineerPosition OverviewWe are seeking a Principal Robotics Engineer to lead the design and delivery of advanced robotic systems. This role will own system-level architecture for perception, planning and control, drive embedded and ROS2-based software development, and ensure robust closed-loop performance for production products. You will partner with hardware, simulation and product teams, mentor engineers, and define best practices to move projects from prototype to field-ready deployments.Key ResponsibilitiesLead architecture and design of robotic systems spanning perception, planning, control, and embedded software.Develop and maintain ROS2-based software stacks and middleware integration for real-time robotic applications.Design and implement advanced closed-loop control algorithms (PID, MPC, LQR) in C++ for high-performance systems.Specify, integrate and validate sensors and actuators (Lidar, GPS, encoders, hydraulics, motor controllers) and communication buses (I2C, CAN, SPI, RS485).Lead embedded software development on microcontrollers and SBCs; drive selection and integration of RTOS and Linux-based platforms (Yocto builds).Create and maintain URDF robot models, simulation environments and test harnesses (Gazebo, Isaac Sim) to accelerate development and verification.Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineering teams on system-level tradeoffs, harnessing, and safety requirements.Establish testing strategies including hardware-in-the-loop, regression suites, and performance benchmarks to ensure robustness in the field.Optimize real-time performance, latency, and resource usage across the software and embedded stack.Mentor and grow a team of engineers; conduct design reviews, code reviews and promote engineering best practices.Define release processes, documentation, and support continuous integration/continuous deployment workflows for robots in development and production.Engage with stakeholders to translate product requirements into technical specifications and timelines.QualificationsBachelors or Masters degree in Robotics, Electrical/Mechanical/Computer Engineering or related field; PhD is a plus.10+ years of professional experience in robotics or related embedded systems with increasing responsibility on system design and delivery.Expert-level practical experience with ROS2 including nodes, DDS/communication, lifecycle management and ROS2-native best practices.Strong embedded software expertise, including C++ development, microcontroller programming, and experience with RTOS environments.Deep understanding of control theory and demonstrated experience implementing closed-loop controllers (PID, MPC, LQR) on real systems.Proven experience integrating sensors and bus protocols (I2C, CAN, SPI, RS485) and debugging hardware/software integration issues.Hands-on experience with simulation and modeling tools and workflows (URDF, Gazebo, Isaac Sim) to validate algorithms and systems.Comfortable with Linux-based development and device build systems (Yocto, cross-compilation) and production deployment constraints.Experience with perception sensors (Lidar, GPS) and algorithms for state estimation and sensor fusion.Familiarity with hydraulics, power systems and mechanical integration for mobile or industrial robots is highly desirable.Proven track record of bringing robotic products from prototype to production, including validation, testing and safety considerations.Excellent communication and leadership skills with experience mentoring engineers and coordinating cross-functional teams.Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail and ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.Nice-to-have: hands-on experience with Isaac Sim, RTOS tuning, closed-loop optimization, and prior work with embedded Linux images and CI/CD for robotics deployments.BenefitsHighly competitive salaryFull health benefits (medical, dental, vision)401k w/matchGenerous PTO10 paid holidaysHybrid work schedule (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)Relocation assistance availMuch more!