Engineering Manager, Human-Robot Interaction

Picklerobot; Lake Charles (LA, MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pickle Robot Company is seeking a Software Engineering Manager for Human‑Robot Interaction to lead the development of operator-facing software that coordinates with Pickle’s robots in production environments.

The role focuses on owning applications, integrations, and data infrastructure to enable operators to deploy, monitor, and collaborate with robots on the loading dock.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of software engineering management at a robotics or hardware-focused company.
• Experience leading SWE teams in robotics, autonomous systems, or industrial automation.
• Proven track record shipping production-grade, full-stack software in hardware-rich environments.
• Strong communication, mentorship, and ability to raise team performance.
• Willing and able to work from Charlestown, MA office at least three times per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow backend and frontend engineers building operator-facing apps and integrations.
• Drive technical vision and execution for human-robot interface software across the stack.
• Foster engineering excellence through code reviews, architecture discussions, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with other engineering managers to ensure end-to-end system behavior.
• Partner with Product and Program Management to scope features and track progress.
• Identify gaps and coordinate hiring or upskilling as needed.
• Represent the HRI function in cross-team initiatives and broader strategy.

Skills

Software engineering management

Robotics experience

Team leadership

Communication & mentorship

Full-stack software delivery

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Job description

Pickle Robot is seeking a passionate and experienced Software Engineering Manager, Human-Robot Interaction, to lead the team building the operator-facing software that puts our robots to work on the loading dock. This leader will own the applications, integrations, and data infrastructure that enable people to operate, monitor, and work alongside Pickle's robots in production environments.

The Human-Robot Interaction team sits at the critical intersection between people and autonomy, building the software that enables operators to deploy, monitor, and collaborate with Pickle’s robots in real-world warehouse environments. This team owns operator-facing applications, backend services, integrations, and telemetry systems that connect warehouse operators to Pickle’s autonomy platform.

The ideal candidate has managed software engineers at a robotics company and knows what it takes to ship production-grade, full-stack software in a fast-moving hardware environment. This is a great fit for a hands-on, in-the-trenches manager who wants meaningful ownership, close technical partnership with the team, and the opportunity to help shape how high-performing robotics and frontend software gets built and shipped. Success in this role means creating a seamless experience between warehouse operators and autonomous robots, ensuring people can confidently deploy, monitor, and collaborate with Pickle’s systems in production environments.

Lead, mentor, and grow a team of backend and frontend engineers who build the operator-facing applications and the integration layer to the rest of the autonomy stack.

Drive the technical vision and execution for Pickle’s human-robot interface software, ensuring a robust, reliable end-user experience and tight integration across the full software stack.

Foster a culture of engineering excellence through code reviews, architecture discussions, iterative development, and a high bar for quality.

Collaborate closely with Pickle’s other engineering managers to ensure seamless end-to-end system behavior. Able to participate in architectural discussions and provide technical guidance, even if not contributing code on a daily basis.

Partner with Product and Program Management to scope features, track progress, and adapt to evolving priorities.

Identify gaps in the team, whether structural or skill-based, and work with People Operations to hire, upskill, or supplement as needed.

Represent the HRI function in cross-team initiatives and contribute to broader engineering strategy.

2+ years of software engineering management experience at a deep tech, robotics, or hardware-focused company. Experience managing software engineers in robotics, autonomous systems, industrial automation, or other hardware-integrated environments.

Demonstrated experience managing SWEs through complex technical and integration challenges, not just feature delivery.

Working knowledge of how commands flow from an operator-facing application to an autonomous system.

A strong communicator and mentor who gives clear feedback, develops engineers at all levels, and builds team confidence without lowering standards.

Experience driving outcomes with both speed and excellence in highly ambiguous, fast-moving business environments.

Willing and able to work from our Charlestown, MA office at least three times per week.

Pay at Pickle

At Pickle Robot Company, we believe transparency builds trust. The salary range listed here is provided in accordance with Massachusetts law and reflects what we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role. We often consider candidates at different levels of seniority, and final compensation will reflect the level at which a candidate is hired, along with factors like experience and location.

About Pickle Robot

Want to get in on the ground floor of a fast-growing, VC-backed robotics company? Join Pickle Robot! We build systems that companies and their teams love.

Pickle robots unload trucks. Every day, millions of trucks and containers are loaded and unloaded, often requiring manual labor—tough, dirty, dangerous, and hard to staff. Pickle automates this process using AI, machine learning, and robotics to deliver reliable products. Our Unload Systems work with teams on loading docks to make the job safer, faster, and more efficient.

Pickle provides best-in-class benefits including health, dental, & vision insurance; unlimited vacation, along with all federal and state holidays; 401K contributions of 5% your salary, travel supplies, and other items to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive.