Founding Research Engineer

Energize Group; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stake

Founding engineer ownership

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Energize Group partners with an early-stage robotics AI startup to craft the next generation of controls and simulation software for advanced robotic systems. As a Founding Robotics Research Engineer, you will blend robotics research with product engineering, developing novel algorithms and demonstrations for real-world deployment.

The role emphasizes tackling hard technical challenges, collaborating with customers and cross-functional teams, and taking ownership in a high-impact early-stage

Qualifications

• Strong background in robotics, controls or autonomous systems.
• Experience solving complex engineering problems.
• Python and modern software development experience.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools and engineering automation.
• Strong understanding of robotics hardware and software.
• Comfortable working closely with customers and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Self-starter who enjoys ownership in an early-stage environment.

Responsibilities

• Developing state-of-the-art robotics algorithms for controls and simulation.
• Building AI-powered solutions for modern robotics applications.
• Reinforcement learning and sim-to-real systems.
• Dynamics modelling and system identification.
• Embedded real-time control.
• Backend infrastructure for robotics data and AI model training.
• Collaborating directly with engineering teams building next-generation robotic systems.
• Creating research demonstrations that push the boundaries of robotics.

Skills

Robotics/Controls

Python

Software development

AI tooling familiarity

Job description

We're partnering with an early-stage, venture-backed robotics AI startup that's building the next generation of controls and simulation software for advanced robotic systems.

The company is developing cutting-edge tooling that enables robotics teams to push the limits of hardware performance using modern AI techniques. Their vision is to bridge breakthrough robotics research with real-world deployment, creating software that accelerates innovation across industries including robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, manufacturing and energy.

This is a rare opportunity to join as one of the first engineering hires, helping shape both the technology and the future direction of the company.

The Opportunity

As a Founding Robotics Research Engineer, you'll work at the intersection of robotics research and product engineering. You'll help develop novel algorithms, collaborate directly with customers solving challenging robotics problems, and build research demonstrations that showcase the capabilities of the platform.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys tackling difficult technical challenges while seeing their work deployed in real-world applications.

What You'll Be Working On

• Developing state-of-the-art robotics algorithms for controls and simulation
• Building AI-powered solutions for modern robotics applications
• Reinforcement learning and sim-to-real systems
• Dynamics modelling and system identification
• Embedded real-time control
• Backend infrastructure for robotics data and AI model training
• Collaborating directly with engineering teams building next-generation robotic systems
• Creating research demonstrations that push the boundaries of robotics

What We're Looking For

• Strong background in robotics, controls or autonomous systems
• Experience solving complex engineering problems
• Python and modern software development experience
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools and engineering automation
• Strong understanding of robotics hardware and software
• Comfortable working closely with customers and cross-functional engineering teams
• Self-starter who enjoys ownership in an early-stage environment

Nice to Have

• Control theory
• System identification
• Sim-to-real transfer
• Motion planning
• Model-based control
• AI model training and infrastructure
• Mechanical engineering knowledge

Why Join?

• Founding engineer opportunity with significant ownership
• Work alongside experienced robotics researchers and engineers
• Help shape both the technology roadmap and engineering culture
• Exposure to cutting-edge robotics research with real commercial impact
• Equity alongside competitive compensation
• Opportunity to grow into a technical leadership role as the company scales

If you're passionate about robotics research but want to see your work deployed on real systems with meaningful customer impact, I'd be happy to tell you more.

Please note due to the nature of this clients work, we can only consider applications from US Citizens.