Principal Robotics Systems Engineer

Autzu; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Autzu is building the operating system for autonomous transportation, creating robotics and Physical AI infrastructure for fleets. As a Robotics Engineer, you will work with the CTO to define and grow the robotics organization from the ground up, shaping the future of our autonomous mobility platform.

You will design, prototype, test, and deploy robotics systems spanning hardware, controls, and software, and help launch our first robotics pilot hub in San Francisco, with significant ownership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline related to robotics or mechatronics.
• 4+ years building robotics, automation, or industrial systems.
• Hands-on experience from prototype to deployment of robotic systems.
• Experience leading robotics pilots, proofs-of-concept, or first production launches.
• Experience bringing robotics or automation programs into real environments.
• Strong understanding of robotics hardware, controls, sensors, actuators, and system integration.
• Experience with Physical AI, perception, autonomy, or intelligent automation.
• Comfortable working across hardware and software.
• Bias toward execution with a prototyping mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design and build robotics systems from concept through production.
• Prototype, test, and deploy new robotic automation solutions.
• Help launch first robotics pilot hub and future facilities.
• Build Physical AI systems integrating robotics, sensors, perception, and automation.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, embedded, controls, and software teams.

Skills

Robotics design

Prototype development

System integration

Hardware-software co-design

Embedded systems

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Robotics

Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics

Computer Science

Tools

ROS/ROS2

C++

Python

Embedded systems

PLC

Computer vision

Job description

Build the Physical AI Infrastructure Behind Autonomous Mobility

Autzu is building the operating system for autonomous transportation—not just software, but the physical infrastructure that allows autonomous fleets to operate at scale.

We're evolving from a software-first mobility platform into a robotics and Physical AI company, building autonomous hubs that service, charge, inspect, clean, calibrate, and maintain autonomous vehicles.

We're looking for our Robotics Engineer to work directly with our CTO to help build our robotics organization from the ground up.

This isn't joining an existing robotics team.

You'll help create it.

About the Role

As our Robotics Engineer, you'll help define and build the next generation of robotics systems powering autonomous vehicle infrastructure.

You'll work across hardware, software, controls, automation, and Physical AI to prototype, test, deploy, and scale robotics solutions inside our first autonomous operations hub.

You'll have significant ownership over technical direction while helping build the robotics organization as the company grows.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who wants to build category-defining technology inside an early-stage startup.

What You'll Do

• Design and build robotics systems from concept through production
• Prototype, test, and deploy new robotic automation solutions
• Help launch our first robotics pilot hub and future autonomous service facilities
• Build Physical AI systems integrating robotics, sensors, perception, and automation
• Work across mechanical, electrical, embedded, controls, and software engineering
• Develop robotics systems that interact safely and reliably with autonomous vehicles
• Partner directly with the CTO on robotics strategy, architecture, and long-term vision
• Help establish engineering standards, processes, and future hiring for the robotics organization
• Work closely with software, infrastructure, autonomy, and operations teams to deploy robotics into live production environments

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline
• 4+ years building robotics, automation, mechatronics, or industrial systems
• Hands-on experience designing and building robotic systems from prototype through deployment
• Experience participating in robotics pilots, proof-of-concepts, or first production launches
• Experience launching robotics or automation programs into real-world environments
• Strong understanding of robotics hardware, controls, sensors, actuators, and system integration
• Experience working with Physical AI, robotic perception, autonomous systems, or intelligent automation
• Comfortable working across hardware and software
• Strong prototyping mindset with a bias toward execution
• Ability to work full-time onsite in San Francisco
• Excited to work in a fast-moving startup environment with significant ownership

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or a related technical field
• Experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, mobility, warehouse automation, industrial automation, or Physical AI
• Experience integrating robotics into large-scale operational environments or global deployments
• Experience with ROS/ROS2, C++, Python, embedded systems, PLCs, industrial robotics, or computer vision
• Experience working at an early-stage startup (Seed through Series B) where you helped build products and organizations from the ground up
• Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams to take robotics from concept into production
• Be the Robotics Engineer and help define the future of our robotics organization.
• Work directly alongside the CTO building the next generation of autonomous mobility infrastructure.
• Build technology that combines robotics, Physical AI, autonomy, and real-world operations.
• Help launch our first robotics pilot hub before scaling to future deployments.
• Own technical decisions from day one with significant autonomy and visibility.
• Grow into a Robotics Lead, Head of Robotics, or VP of Robotics as the organization expands.
• Join at one of the earliest stages and help shape the engineering culture, product roadmap, and long-term vision.