Principal Software Engineer, Perception

Symbotic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 10% travel

Job summary

Symbotic is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join its Perception team in Austin, TX. You will design real-time perception software for automated forklift and loading dock systems, mentor engineers, and collaborate with customers on KPIs and technical direction.

The role demands a master's degree and 10+ years in complex real-time software, with expertise in SLAM, sensor fusion, CV, and ROS/ROS2; Linux, Docker, and CI/CD experience are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Robotics or related field.
• 10+ years of professional software experience for complex real-time systems.
• Deep expertise in robotics perception: SLAM, sensor fusion, CV, multi-camera/LiDAR processing.
• Proven track record leading engineering efforts and mentoring teammates.
• Experience with embedded or GPU-accelerated platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop real-time, high-performance perception software for autonomous forklifts and loading dock systems.
• Serve as a leading technical contributor and mentor within the Perception organization.
• Collaborate with broader engineering teams and customer stakeholders on scope and KPIs.
• Drive technical roadmaps and contribute to system architecture, CI/CD, and deployment practices.

Skills

Perception robotics

Real-time systems

Linux development

Docker & CI/CD

Mentoring/leadership

Education

Master's degree in CS/EE/Robotics

Tools

ROS/ROS2

NVIDIA GPUs

Linux

CI/CD tools

Job description

Who we are

With its A.I.-powered robotic technology platform, Symbotic is changing the way consumer goods move through the supply chain. Intelligent software orchestrates advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system – reinventing warehouse automation for increased efficiency, speed and flexibility. What we need Symbotic is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join our Perception organization, based in Austin, TX, where our loading dock automation and automated forklift engineering is concentrated. You will play a central, hands-on role in designing and developing perception software for these systems, and will help grow and mentor other engineers as this work scales. While the primary emphasis of this role is deep Perception expertise, the ideal candidate is also comfortable stepping beyond Perception when needed — into areas like Controls, system architecture, CI, program-level planning, or owning customer-facing KPIs — as is typical for senior engineers working on autonomous vehicle systems. We are looking for people who thrive in a creative, collaborative, and agile development environment.

What we do

Our work matters – robotics is transforming the world of commerce. Every day our intelligent robots are responsible for getting food and merchandise to thousands of stores across North America. We're an industry changer – we created the first and only fully autonomous, end-to-end supply chain solution. Today, we are driving towards even bigger ideas – and we have the people, technology, and leadership to fully realize these aspirations. We have the excitement and ambition of a startup with the benefits and resources of a proven organization.

Our Austin, TX location is where loading dock automation and automated forklift engineering is concentrated, working in close coordination with the rest of the Perception organization and broader Symbotic engineering teams.

What you'll do

Play a central, hands-on role designing and developing real-time, high-performance perception software for automated forklift and loading dock automation systems. Serve as a leading technical contributor within the Perception organization for this work, operating in close integration with the broader Symbotic engineering org. Mentor and grow other engineers, helping build technical capability on the team as this work scales. Analyze and address the root cause of issues affecting product performance, applying systems-level thinking about how perception interacts with the rest of the system. Drive project scoping and requirement specification, providing leadership with the technical insight needed to create long-term technical roadmaps. Represent engineering in technical discussions with customer program stakeholders on the direction and scope of the loading dock automation / automated forklift program, including ownership of relevant customer-facing KPIs as needed. Operate with a broader technical scope beyond Perception when the work calls for it — spanning areas such as Controls, system architecture, CI/CD practices, or cross-team planning — as is typical for senior engineers working on autonomous vehicle systems. Build high-quality software in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and drive best practices and quality standards.

What you'll need

A minimum of a Master's degree in a related discipline (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mathematics, etc.). Minimum 10 years of professional experience developing software for complex, real-time systems. Deep expertise in Perception for robotics: SLAM, sensor fusion, state estimation, computer vision, and processing multiple cameras and/or LiDARs in real time. A track record of taking complex robotic systems into production and making them work reliably, with evidence of measurable value delivered (uptime, throughput, reduced faults, etc.) — not just prototypes or research demos. You have led complex engineering efforts and know what it takes to deliver while still having a healthy team. Experience mentoring or growing other engineers. Comfort and prior experience operating with a broader technical scope beyond Perception when needed — for example Controls, system architecture, CI/CD, planning, or customer-facing KPI ownership — as is typical for senior engineers working on autonomous vehicle systems. Experience developing software for embedded or GPU-accelerated platforms (e.g., Nvidia) is a plus. Experience with Linux development, Docker, and CI/CD tools. Comfortable with asynchronous or multithreaded programming. Experience with event-driven architectures, messaging systems, and protocols (e.g., ROS, ROS2). Experience with Agile development methodology. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including comfort engaging directly with customer/program stakeholders on technical scope and tradeoffs. Willingness to be based in / work extensively from Austin, TX. Prior experience with autonomous mobile robots, automated forklifts, or similarly complex, safety-relevant automated systems strongly preferred.

Our environment

Up to 10% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations.

The employee is responsible for owning a credit card and managing expenses personally to be reimbursed bi-weekly.

About Symbotic

Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-gen technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.

We are a community of innovators, collaborators and pioneers who embrace our differences, because we know unique perspectives make us stronger and smarter. Every perspective matters. We depend on the collective voices of our employees, customers and community to help guide us as we build a better place to work – for you and the world.

That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.

The base range for this position in the posted location is $180,000.00 - $247,500.00 however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, 401K, PTO and/or other benefits.

Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-gen technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.