Principal Robotics Engineer - R&D

Boston Engineering; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

Boston Engineering is seeking a Principal Robotics Engineer - R&D to join our team in Waltham, MA. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, we deliver advanced robotics and related technologies to commercial and government clients.

This role leads systems engineering ownership of SMP and mROV projects, guiding hardware, software, and controls teams from prototype to production, with emphasis on integration and testing.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience, including at least 5 years in robotics.
• Demonstrated delivery or integration of mobile robotic or comparably complex robotic systems, including hands‑on integration and troubleshooting.
• Depth in a relevant engineering discipline and sufficient breadth to lead tradeoffs across hardware, software, controls, embedded computing and sensing.
• Experience owning systems engineering work, including requirements development and allocation, architecture, interface management, technical trade studies and verification planning, using traceability and experimental evidence.
• Demonstrated technical contribution to the transition of robotic or complex electromechanical prototypes to commercial production.
• Hands‑on proficiency in CAD design and assembly modeling (SolidWorks preferred), with the ability to interpret engineering drawings and mechanical constraints and resolve electromechanical interfaces.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary technical work, communicate risk and document interfaces and engineering decisions.
• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent relevant practical experience

Responsibilities

• Own systems engineering and the integrated technical plan for assigned SMP efforts, with secondary mROV support.
• Translate stakeholder needs into requirements, subsystem allocations, system architecture, interfaces, and verification and validation criteria.
• Work hands‑on in development and integration, resolving difficult technical problems and leading root‑cause investigations.
• Lead trade studies and cross‑disciplinary design decisions with functional leads and program leadership, within agreed technical decision and escalation boundaries.
• Lead integration of hardware, robotics software and controls across embedded computing, sensing and sensor processing, motion control, inspection payloads, operator interfaces, vehicle‑to‑operator communications and data capture.
• Collaboratively establish architecture baselines and configuration compatibility across mechanical revisions, electronics, firmware and software, and calibration data.
• Lead engineering reviews, integration milestones, verification and validation, failure investigations and regression testing.
• Maintain traceability from needs and requirements to test evidence, and surface technical, schedule and resource risks early.
• Lead engineering efforts supporting production readiness with manufacturing, quality and supply‑chain teams.
• Address manufacturability, component and sourcing risks, assembly efficiency, repeatable pilot builds, release and service documentation, reliability, maintainability, calibration and field diagnostics.
• Provide technical input to patent activities and IP development.

Skills

Robotics

Systems engineering

Multidisciplinary leadership

CAD (SolidWorks)

Embedded computing

Education

BS in related field

Tools

SolidWorks

ROS/ROS 2

Job description

Boston Engineering is seeking a Principal Robotics Engineer - R&D to join our team in Waltham, MA!

Boston Engineering is where innovative ideas become real-world technologies. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, we've spent more than 30 years partnering with commercial and government clients to solve complex engineering challenges and bring breakthrough products to market. From advanced robotics and autonomous systems to medical devices, digital solutions, defense technologies, and industrial automation, our teams work on meaningful projects that push the boundaries of what's possible.

Why Join Boston Engineering?

• Build products with real-world purpose. Contribute to technologies that address challenging commercial and government needs


• Own consequential technical decisions. Shape mechanical concepts and system architecture, guide design tradeoffs, and help clients choose a path forward


• Stay close to the work. Combine technical leadership with design, prototyping, analysis, and testing


• Keep expanding your expertise. Work across industries alongside mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and manufacturing engineers


• Multiply your impact. Mentor engineers, develop future technical leaders, and strengthen engineering practices across the organization

See how Boston Engineering helps clients turn complex ideas into real-world products and technologies

Watch: Boston Engineering – Product Development Services

Job Description

Provide hands‑on technical leadership and systems engineering ownership for Boston Engineering's robotic inspection systems, with primary focus on Surface Mobility Platform (SMP) and secondary focus on micro underwater remotely operated vehicles (mROV). Based in Waltham, MA this person will translate customer needs into integrated, verified systems and lead the engineering transition from prototypes to commercial production. Guide mechanical, electrical, controls and software engineers through architecture and interface decisions, integration, demonstrations and field troubleshooting. Secondary mROV work covers agreed architecture, reusable capabilities and targeted integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Own systems engineering and the integrated technical plan for assigned SMP efforts, with secondary mROV support. Translate stakeholder needs into requirements, subsystem allocations, system architecture, interfaces, and verification and validation criteria


• Work hands‑on in development and integration, resolving difficult technical problems and leading root‑cause investigations. Lead trade studies and cross‑disciplinary design decisions with functional leads and program leadership, within agreed technical decision and escalation boundaries


• Lead integration of hardware, robotics software and controls across embedded computing, sensing and sensor processing, motion control, inspection payloads, operator interfaces, vehicle‑to‑operator communications and data capture. Address localization, navigation, mobility or adhesion as applicable


• Collaboratively establish architecture baselines and configuration compatibility across mechanical revisions, electronics, firmware and software, and calibration data. Identify shared capabilities while preserving product‑specific constraints and interfaces


• Lead engineering reviews, integration milestones, verification and validation, failure investigations and regression testing. Maintain traceability from needs and requirements to test evidence, and surface technical, schedule and resource risks early


• Lead engineering efforts supporting production readiness with manufacturing, quality and supply‑chain teams. Address manufacturability, component and sourcing risks, assembly efficiency, repeatable pilot builds, release and service documentation, reliability, maintainability, calibration and field diagnostics. Provide technical input rather than assume purchasing or manufacturing execution ownership


• Evaluate new product concepts and competitive products to inform performance targets, differentiation and technology roadmaps. Support intellectual property development through invention disclosures and technical input to patent activities


• Mentor engineers and contribute to proposals, customer demonstrations, field preparation and clear explanations of system capability and limitations

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience, including at least 5 years in robotics


• Demonstrated delivery or integration of mobile robotic or comparably complex robotic systems, including hands‑on integration and troubleshooting


• Depth in a relevant engineering discipline and sufficient breadth to lead tradeoffs across hardware, software, controls, embedded computing and sensing


• Experience owning systems engineering work, including requirements development and allocation, architecture, interface management, technical trade studies and verification planning, using traceability and experimental evidence


• Demonstrated technical contribution to the transition of robotic or complex electromechanical prototypes to commercial production


• Hands‑on proficiency in CAD design and assembly modeling (SolidWorks preferred), with the ability to interpret engineering drawings and mechanical constraints and resolve electromechanical interfaces


• Ability to lead multidisciplinary technical work, communicate risk and document interfaces and engineering decisions


• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent relevant practical experience

Preferred Experience

• Inspection robotics, crawler or surface‑adhering platforms, challenging industrial environments, and field support relevant to SMP; underwater or marine robotics for secondary mROV work


• Supplier qualification, design for manufacturability and assembly, production documentation and pilot builds


• Localization, mapping, path planning, closed‑loop control, ROS or ROS 2 or comparable middleware; an MS in a relevant discipline

Additional Information

This role is restricted to US persons (i.e., US citizens, permanent residents, and other protected individuals under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 USC 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to export‑controlled technology. Boston Engineering will require proof of status prior to employment.

Employment Type: Full-Time Role

Reports to: VP, Research and Development

Location: Office‑based role in Waltham, Massachusetts

Relocation: Not available at this time

Travel: Minimal

Salary Range: The base salary range for this position is $150,000 - $190,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The final offer amount will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s education, knowledge, experience, and skills. A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k) match, and paid time off, is also provided.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.