Principal Robotics Systems Engineer

Gather; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Gather AI in Pittsburgh is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the development and integration of autonomous data gathering systems for warehouse operations. You will bridge product vision, system requirements, hardware implementation, and real-world performance.

You will own the design, collaborate across software, hardware, cloud, and test teams, mentor engineers, and drive risk analyses and trade-offs for complex autonomous platforms.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in systems or robotics engineering.
• 10–15 years delivering complex hybrid hardware/software systems.
• Proven cross-functional product development ownership.
• Experience with C++ and Python in robotics contexts.
• Experience with hardware integration, RF, and IP considerations.

Responsibilities

• Own design, architecture, and integration of autonomous data gathering systems.
• Collaborate with product, customers, and cross-functional teams to define interfaces.
• Mentor engineers and promote system engineering best practices.
• Address integration challenges for active robotic and passive sensing hardware.
• Lead trade-off analyses, risk assessment, and mitigation planning.

Skills

Systems engineering

Hybrid hardware/software

Robotics algorithms

C++/Python

Technical leadership

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Systems Engineering/Robotics/EE/CS

Job description

Are you ready to build the future of supply chain? At Gather AI, we're not just creating software; we're pioneering a new era of warehouse intelligence. We've developed a groundbreaking, vision-powered platform that uses autonomous drones and existing equipment to capture real-time data, completely digitizing workflows that have historically been manual and error-prone. This means facilities operate smarter, safer, and more efficiently, ultimately redefining "on-time, in full" delivery. If you're looking for an opportunity to contribute to truly transformative technology and make a significant impact in a vital industry, Gather AI is the place for you. We're leading the charge in the rapidly evolving robotics industry, and we invite you to join us in reshaping the global supply chain, one intelligent warehouse at a time.

About You

As a Principal Systems Engineer at Gather AI you will be a technical leader, driving the development and integration of cutting-edge autonomous and passive sensing systems, bridging the gap between product vision, complex system requirements, hardware implementation, and real-world performance.

What You’ll Do

• Take full technical ownership of the design, architecture, and integration of the autonomous data gathering systems in logistics and material handling environments.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Customers, and cross-functional engineering teams (e.g., Software, Hardware, Cloud, Test) to negotiate and finalize system boundaries and interfaces.
• Serve as a technical leader, mentoring less experienced engineers and setting the standard for systems engineering best practices.
• Possess specific, in-depth knowledge of hardware implementation and integration challenges for both active robotic components (e.g., actuators, controllers) and passive sensing modalities (e.g., RGB cameras, depth cameras).
• Drive trade-off analyses, risk assessment, and mitigation planning for critical system elements.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or PhD in Systems Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 10-15 years of experience in systems engineering, with a significant focus on complex hybrid hardware/software systems.
• Demonstrated technical ownership of major cross-functional product development initiatives.
• Comfort with complex algorithms in the robotics domain - finding, evaluating, and applying algorithms in mixed language (C++/Python) systems.
• Understanding of considerations regarding mechanical mounts, power and RF, and ingress protection.
• Expertise in the integration and performance characterization of passive sensing systems (e.g., perception, localization, mapping) and/or active robotic systems (e.g., navigation, control).
• Proven track record of defining and verifying system requirements for complex autonomous systems.
• Strong communication skills, particularly in writing documents that identify critical requirements and explain challenging problems clearly.
• Persistence and calm leadership in an agile work environment.

As set forth in Gather AI’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.