Robotics Engineer

California Institute of Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

California Institute of Technology seeks a Robotics Engineer to develop robotic systems for autonomous laboratory experimentation. The role bridges robotics, AI, and chemical experimentation to build flexible platforms capable of safe, autonomous lab operation.

You will lead development of manipulation, perception, planning, control, and feedback systems, collaborating with chemists and researchers in the Manthiram Lab to translate experimental requirements into robotic workflows.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in robotics, mechanical/electrical engineering, or CS.
• Strong robotics research background with manipulation, planning, or perception.
• Experience developing and testing integrated robotic hardware and software systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and program robotic systems for autonomous lab work.
• Develop manipulation strategies for lab tasks.
• Advance motion planning and perception algorithms.
• Integrate robots with cameras, sensors, and instruments.
• Ensure safe, reliable autonomous operation.
• Collaborate with chemists and researchers to automate experiments.

Skills

Robotics

Python/C++

Motion planning

Perception

Control systems

Hardware integration

Experiment design

Collaboration

Mentoring

Education

Master's degree+

PhD preferred

Tools

Robot frameworks

C++

Python

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Robotics Engineer will develop robotic systems capable of autonomously carrying out common but technically challenging laboratory tasks in the chemical sciences. This position will work at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, and chemical experimentation, with the goal of building flexible robotic platforms that can operate safely, reliably, and autonomously in real laboratory environments.

The Robotics Engineer will lead the development and integration of robotic manipulation, perception, planning, control, and feedback systems for automated chemical experimentation. The position will work closely with chemists, chemical engineers, and other researchers in the Manthiram Lab to identify laboratory tasks that can be automated and translate experimental requirements into robust robotic workflows.

Essential Job Duties

• Design, build, and program robotic systems for autonomous laboratory experimentation.
• Develop robotic manipulation strategies for laboratory tasks involving objects such as glassware, instruments, containers, samples, and laboratory tools.
• Develop motion-planning, task-planning, perception, control, and feedback algorithms for operation in complex laboratory environments.
• Integrate robotic manipulators with cameras, force/torque sensors, grippers, laboratory instruments, and other sensing and actuation hardware.
• Develop software infrastructure for coordinating robotic operations with automated chemical experiments and laboratory instrumentation.
• Design systems that can recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors during autonomous operation.
• Develop approaches for safe and reliable interaction between robots, laboratory equipment, chemicals, and human researchers.
• Evaluate robotic system performance through systematic experimentation and use these results to improve hardware, algorithms, and workflows.
• Work closely with researchers in chemistry and chemical engineering to identify experimental procedures suitable for robotic automation and translate those procedures into robotic workflows.
• Develop reusable robotic capabilities that can generalize across multiple laboratory tasks rather than being limited to a single experimental procedure.
• Contribute to research publications, presentations, and proposals arising from the work.
• Mentor students and researchers working on robotics and laboratory automation projects.
• Maintain and improve robotic hardware, software, and associated laboratory infrastructure.
• Meet regularly with the principal investigator and research team to define technical priorities, evaluate progress, and identify new research directions.
• Conduct research in areas of mutual interest related to robotics, autonomous experimentation, machine learning, and laboratory automation.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong research background in robotics, including experience with robotic manipulation, motion planning, control, perception, or related areas.
• Experience developing and testing integrated robotic hardware and software systems.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in Python and/or C++.
• Experience with common robotics software frameworks and tools.
• Ability to independently design, implement, troubleshoot, and evaluate complex robotic systems.
• Ability to work effectively on interdisciplinary problems and collaborate closely with researchers outside of robotics.
• Strong experimental and problem-solving skills, including the ability to diagnose failures in integrated hardware and software systems.
• Motivation, creativity, speed of learning, and an interest in applying robotics to scientific experimentation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Experience with robotic manipulation in unstructured or semi-structured environments.
• Experience with computer vision, force-controlled manipulation, tactile sensing, or learning-based robotics.
• Experience with bimanual manipulation or coordinated multi-arm robotic systems.
• Experience integrating robots with external instruments, sensors, or automation hardware.
• Experience with task and motion planning, reinforcement learning, imitation learning, or other machine-learning approaches for robotics.
• Experience developing systems requiring high reliability, autonomous error detection, or failure recovery.
• Interest in chemistry, laboratory automation, or autonomous scientific experimentation. Prior chemistry experience is helpful but not required.

Required Documents

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• Cover letter describing relevant robotics experience and interest in autonomous laboratory experimentation.

Hiring Range

$89,600 - $117,200 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].