Senior C++ Robotics Software Engineer

Senior C++ Robotic Software Engineer

Robotics & Digital Solutions, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is recruiting for a Senior C++ Robotic Software Engineer. This position is located in Santa Clara, CA.

At J&J Robotics we're changing the trajectory of health for humanity, using robotics to enhance healthcare providers' abilities and improve patients' diagnoses, treatments, and recovery times. J&J Robotics was established in 2020 with the integration of Auris Health, Verb Surgical, C-SATS, and Ethicon. It comprises three key med-tech platforms: Flexible Robotics (MONARCH®), Surgical Robotics (OTTAVA™), and Digital Solutions. Join our collaborative, rapidly growing teams in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cincinnati, and Seattle. You'll collaborate on breakthrough medical technologies that unite multiple subject areas to build a connected digital ecosystem that advances medical professionals' skills and improves patient outcomes.

The Senior C++ Robotic Software Engineer will work with the rest of the Robotics and Control team as well as the Clinical, SW, Hardware and Systems Engineering teams to bring to life the control of the surgical robot and instruments.

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Software Engineer to develop high-performance software for next-generation robotic surgical systems. You'll work on real-time control, system and software architecture, and safety-critical applications that directly impact patient outcomes. This role blends deep software engineering expertise with robotics fundamentals in a regulated, multidisciplinary environment. The successful candidate will have the capacity to work closely with engineers from software, hardware, systems, quality, regulatory, and other subject areas.

The candidate should be self-motivated, curious, and have the desire to bring the latest software technologies into the medical world. This is an individual contributor role that requires strong collaboration, leadership, and influence skills to be successful. We value software craftsmanship, architectural thinking, and proactive problem-solving above all. This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the software infrastructure and algorithms that power next-generation robotic-assisted surgery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop production-grade C++ software for robotic control and surgical workflows.
• Design and implement efficient algorithms (kinematics, dynamics, motion planning).
• Contribute to software architecture, infrastructure, and reusable frameworks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems, software, hardware, clinical, quality, etc.).
• Support regulatory documentation and validation (e.g., FDA 510(k), risk analysis).
• Lead code reviews, testing strategies, and continuous integration efforts.
• Prototype and validate novel robotic features and surgical instrument behaviors.

Qualifications - Education and Experience:

One of the following combinations of years of experience and education are required:

A.) a B.S. degree in a technical discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Computer Engineering, EE, ME, or equivalent) combined with 6 years of relevant post-academic experience OR

B.) a M.S. degree in a technical discipline combined with 4 years of relevant post-academic experience OR

C.)a PhD in a technical discipline combined with 2 years of relevant post-academic experience

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++14/17/20), Python, and scripting tools (e.g., Bash). Experience must be on combination hardware/software products is required.
• Solid experience working in all aspects of software development from concept and requirements through development, testing, traceability, release, and maintenance is required.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (QNX, RT Linux) in safety-critical systems is required.
• Good understanding and proficiency with multi-threaded applications is required.
• Proven ability to work in agile, collaborative environments and take ownership. is required.
• Experience driving architectural reviews and advocating for long-term software quality and maintainability. is required.
• Proven ability to take ownership of tasks, and proactively propose improvements to a large codebase is required.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills are essential.
• Ability and willingness to be based in Santa Clara CA and ability to travel up to 5%, domestic and international is required.
• Experience in regulated industries (medical devices, aerospace, automotive) is preferred.
• Advanced degree in Robotics, CS, EE, ME, or related field is preferred.
• Good understanding of robotics fundamentals is heavily preferred but not absolutely necessary: FK/IK, classic/modern control theory techniques, system modeling, etc. is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with surgical robotics or complex electromechanical systems is preferred.
• Practical knowledge of linear algebra, robotics, control theory, and applied mathematics is preferred.
• Understanding of CI/CD tools and build systems is preferred.
• Familiarity with Rust or other modern programming languages is a huge plus is preferred.
• Proficiency in LLMs and ML techniques to enable innovation in advanced projects is preferred.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is $125,000 - $201,250.

Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

At Johnson & Johnson, we're on a mission to change the trajectory of health for humanity. That starts by creating the world's healthiest workforce. Through innovative programs and policies, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our employees and the ones they love! At Johnson & Johnson, we offer a variety of outstanding health and financial benefits, including competitive compensation, 401k, pension, medical, dental, and vision insurance, exercise reimbursement, flexible time off, paid volunteer and parental leave, and more! For more information on how we support the whole health of our employees throughout their wellness, career and life journey, please visit

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants' needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via . internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource