Lead Robotics & Automation Engineer

Ohalo Genetics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Lead Automation Engineer, where you'll be at the forefront of innovative automation solutions in plant breeding and biotechnology. This role offers the chance to architect and integrate cutting-edge systems that enhance agricultural productivity while collaborating with a diverse team of experts. Your contributions will directly impact the development of advanced technologies that help farmers grow more food sustainably. If you're passionate about automation and eager to make a difference in global agriculture, this position is an exciting opportunity to drive change and innovation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience designing and deploying integrated automation solutions.
• Proficiency in software development and integrating hardware with software.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop automation systems across software and robotics.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to translate requirements into solutions.

Skills

Software Development (Python, C++, Rust)

Integration of Hardware Components

Technical Leadership

Collaboration Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in Engineering

Degree in Computer Science or Robotics

Tools

FastAPI

ROS

PyTorch

Docker

Cloud Infrastructure (GCP, AWS)

Job description

Ohalo is seeking an experienced Lead Automation Engineer to architect, integrate, and deploy automated systems spanning hardware, software, and machine learning. In this role, you'll be central to delivering automation solutions that accelerate and scale Ohalo’s advanced plant breeding and biotechnology processes. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative automation solutions in a multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and integrate automation systems across software platforms, robotics hardware, and machine learning applications.
• Lead the integration of robotic systems, computer vision, and analytics pipelines into cohesive automation workflows.
• Collaborate closely with software engineers, domain scientists, and lab technicians to translate operational requirements into technical solutions.
• Manage the lifecycle of automation solutions—from requirements gathering through design, implementation, testing, deployment, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of software, hardware and mechanical components for robotic systems, real-time monitoring systems and sensor systems.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies to enhance system performance, scalability, reliability, and user experience.
• Ensure systems meet robust standards for safety, data security, and regulatory compliance.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience designing and deploying integrated automation solutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in integrating hardware components—including robotics, sensors, and imaging systems—with software systems and machine learning workflows.
• Proficiency in software development (e.g., Python, C++, Rust), frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, ROS, PyTorch), and containerization technologies (Docker).
• Experience with robotics platforms (e.g., liquid handling, robotic arms, end-of-arm tooling) or similar automation hardware.
• Experience integrating computer vision systems (e.g., YOLO) and machine learning models into real-time automation workflows.
• Understanding of cloud infrastructure (e.g., GCP, AWS), edge computing, and event-driven architectures.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.
• Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and ability to work effectively within remote teams.

The anticipated pay range for this role is $140,000 - $190,000 per year. Final compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including working location (Aptos vs. San Francisco), experience, and business needs.

About Ohalo:

Ohalo aims to accelerate evolution to unlock nature's potential. Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more information, visit www.ohalo.com.