Senior Robotics Engineer

KION Group is a leading supplier of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, as well as integrated automation technologies and software solutions for the optimization of supply chains. KION Group employs over 42,000 skilled professionals to service its customers globally. Our solutions ensure the smooth flow of materials and information in customers' warehouses, production plants, and distribution centers in over 100 countries.
Are you a high-impact engineer driven to define the next era of robotics? Do you excel at spearheading the development of critical software components for advanced mobile robotic systems?
We're seeking a Mobile Robotics Software Lead (ROS2 / NextGen) whose expertise will directly influence our upcoming products for the Americas Region. Your deep experience across real-time control system development, robust modular software structures, simulation environments, and fleet orchestration will be pivotal. You'll not only drive innovation but also elevate our team through your direction and mentorship.
This position will be part of the Robotic Systems Development (RSD) team within the Central Technology Organization (CTO). CTO plays a key role in our organizational structure by bringing together technical expertise and innovation across the KION Group and its Operating Units. RSD explores the cutting-edge robotic technologies we develop and brings innovative solutions to life. Our diverse teams go beyond technology development, providing comprehensive solutions, services, and lifecycle support. We are dedicated to turning the CTO's vision into reality and empowering our operating units to deliver revolutionary solutions to our valued customers.
This position is located in Holland / Grand Rapids, MI area. This is a hybrid position (three days in-office and two days optional to work from home).

• Career Development
• Competitive Compensation and Benefits
• Pay Transparency
• Global Opportunities

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This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

The base pay range for this role is estimated to be $113,625 - 151,500 at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined by various factors such as work location, education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

What You Will do in This Role:

If you are a seasoned C++ programmer for robotics with ROS2 knowledge and ready to step into a key leadership position, here is your mission:

• Lead the development of foundational software for mobile robotic systems within a globally distributed team, dedicated to the Americas region.
• Demonstrate your skills in simulation, tooling, and platform management to ensure software scalability and use case handling through perception and configuration.
• Mentor and guide fellow engineers, encouraging a culture of technical innovation.
• Develop the strategic direction of our robotics software initiatives

Core Responsibilities:

• Architect and develop core C++ software systems for embedded onboard software, simulation, and deployment
• Drive development of robust tools and frameworks for internal teams and robotic platforms
• Drive technical direction in code structure, system design, and performance optimization
• Collaborate with robotics, cloud, and systems teams on multi-functional efforts
• Mentor and review work of junior and mid-level engineers
• Define engineering best practices and contribute to technical roadmap

What We are Looking for:

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field (required)
• A Ph.D. or equivalent experience in research or innovation is a plus.

Required Skills:

• 8+ years of professional experience in C++ software engineering and robotics.
• Deep expertise in modern C++ (C++17/20), STL, memory management, and performance tuning
• Strong background in software architecture and large codebases
• Experience with multi-threaded, distributed, or real-time systems
• Proven track record in mentoring, team leadership, or technical ownership
• Excellent understanding of Linux, debugging, and profiling tools
• Ability to switch between C++, scripting (Python/Bash), and integration tasks.
• Hands-on experience with ROS/ROS2 or other robotics frameworks

Preferred Skills:

• Prior work in autonomous systems, robotics, or embedded environments
• Familiarity with middleware (DDS, ZeroMQ, gRPC), containerization, and orchestration tools
• Experience in system integration, hardware/software interfacing, or deployment pipelines
• Experience working in fast-paced research and development environments
• Strong mathematical knowledge. i.e., optimization, polynomials.

Travel:

• Up to 30% (inclusive of domestic as well as international trips to Americas, EMEA, and APAC).

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