Robot Software QA/Test Engineer

Simbe; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Simbe Robotics in San Francisco is seeking a Robotics Software Test & QA Engineer to validate the performance and reliability of our robotics software across hardware and cloud components.

You will design and maintain testing strategies, run a fleet of local test robots, triage issues, and contribute to automated pipelines to speed up releases; hands-on debugging on physical systems is required.

Qualifications

• Experience testing software on robotics or embedded systems.
• Strong debugging and triage skills across hardware and software.
• Familiarity with Linux-based testing and scripting in Python.

Responsibilities

• Develop testing practices and automated tests for robotics software.
• Monitor and regression test a fleet of local test robots.
• Triage, debug, and root-cause analysis of issues from automated/manual testing.
• Validate software behavior on physical robots and end-to-end systems.

Skills

Linux

Python

C++

GTest

CI/CD

Networking

Data science basics

Cloud

Debugging

Education

Bachelor’s degree

ROS/ROS2 familiarity

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Job description

Simbe Robotics is a leading retail robotics company providing in-store intelligence solutions that help retailers optimize operations, improve shelf execution, and deliver valuable data insights. Our autonomous robots and multi-modal data collection systems are transforming how retailers manage inventory and make data-driven decisions.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Robotics Software Test & QA Engineer to help ensure the performance, reliability, and quality of Simbe’s robotics software through strong testing practices, automated test coverage, and continuous regression testing. In this role, you’ll work closely with software engineers to design and maintain testing strategies, monitor and operate a local fleet of test robots, and rapidly triage issues uncovered through continuous testing. The ideal candidate is technically hands-on, methodical, and comfortable debugging complex software behavior across robot and cloud components.

This is not a traditional web, mobile, or API-focused SDET role; the position requires hands-on testing and debugging of software operating on physical robots or similarly complex hardware-software systems.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with software engineers to develop testing practices, improve testability, and build automated tests
• Constantly monitor (manually and automatically) our fleet of local test robots and run continuous regression tests
• Support triage, debugging, and root cause analysis of issues discovered through automated and manual testing
• Perform hands-on validation of software behavior on physical robots, including reproducing field issues and evaluating end-to-end system performance
• Assist with robot setup, configuration, and validation in support of internal testing and release readiness
• Document issues methodically, providing clear visibility into reproduction steps, impact, and resolution status
• Continuously improve test tooling, pipelines, and quality signals to increase the speed and quality of defect detection.

Required Qualifications

• Deep working knowledge of Linux systems and command-line tools
• Working competence scripting in languages like Python (or similar)
• Ability to read and debug C++ and Python code while investigating failures on integrated hardware-software systems
• Experience testing software running on robotics, autonomous systems, embedded devices, connected hardware, vehicles, or another complex physical product
• Understanding of C++ and Python code (reading/debugging across both)
• Experience with testing frameworks like gtest (or similar test frameworks)
• Exposure to cloud infrastructure and modern CI/CD practices
• Familiarity with statistics or data-science tools & methods
• Strong understanding of wired and wireless networking concepts (IPv4, NetworkManager, WPA2 security, etc.)
• Methodical and detail-oriented in debugging, triaging, and documenting issues
• Calm, patient, and communicative, especially when collaborating across teams
• Comfortable resolving unknown problems using research, experimentation, and AI tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline
• Familiarity with robot operating systems (ROS/ROS2) and related tools
• Prior experience testing or supporting autonomous robots, embedded systems, or distributed systems
• Prior hands-on experience testing or supporting autonomous robots, autonomous vehicles, embedded systems, or other physical products involving integrated software, hardware, sensors, and networking
• Familiarity with remote monitoring and diagnostic tools for distributed systems

At Simbe, you will be at the forefront of retail innovation, working with cutting-edge AI and robotics technologies to transform retail operations. Our culture is dynamic, inclusive, and driven by a passion for improving the way retailers operate and serve their customers. Join us to be a part of a team that is not only reshaping the future of retail but also offering immense value to our clients worldwide.

Simbe Values

Result Driven - We are customer-centric and results-driven. We strive to create immense value for our team, partners, customers, and investors.

Empathetic - We are sensitive and mindful. We support each other in challenging times, both professionally and personally.

Transparent - We highly value open communication internally, and with our partners and customers. We are receptive to feedback.

Agile - We are agile and always eager to learn. We quickly adapt to changes and customer needs.

Innovative - We are bold and innovative, with an intense focus on product design and user experience.

Leaders - We strive for excellence. We are accountable, the best at what we do, and leaders in our field.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

The base salary offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity compensation, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Simbe’s approach emphasizes total rewards - base pay, equity, incentives, and benefits - rather than viewing compensation as cash alone. We believe the full package, including ownership through equity and well-being support, is what drives engagement, retention, and alignment with our mission.