Robotics Engineer

Foundation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Foundation is building the software platform that powers our general-purpose robots, spanning cloud services, robot OS, and on-robot software. We seek a versatile robotics software engineer who can own large technical problems across the full stack from cloud to OS-adjacent code.

You will collaborate with AI, autonomy, controls, embedded, and infrastructure teams to deliver scalable system services, web interfaces, and data logging pipelines for rapid feature development and deployment in San

Qualifications

• Proven generalist software engineer capable across cloud and robot software.
• Excellent ability to design and implement system services and web apps.
• Strong fundamentals in CS, OS concepts, and networking.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain software ecosystem for robots, spanning cloud services and robot OS.
• Drive scaling of system services, data logging, and robot interfaces.
• Bridge high-level applications with low-level OS-adjacent implementations.
• Collaborate with AI, autonomy, controls, embedded, and infrastructure teams.

Skills

Cloud software

Distributed systems

Robot software engineering

C++, Python, Go, Rust

OS-adjacent coding

Tools

Web apps

APIs

Data logging pipelines

Job description

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.

Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Our Culture

We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

Who should join:

• You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
• You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
• You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
• You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it.
• You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

Why Are We Hiring for this Role

• To build and maintain the full software ecosystem for our general-purpose robots, requiring versatility across high-level cloud services and system services running on the robot computer.
• To drive the implementation and scaling of critical system services applications, including user-facing web applications, comprehensive data logging infrastructure, and robot interfaces.
• To ensure the team has a capable software generalist who can bridge the gap between high-level applications and low-level system necessities, enabling rapid feature development, software porting, and necessary OS-adjacent implementations.
• To contribute a broad and deep software background to influence the technical direction and architecture of both robot-side and cloud-side systems.
• Foundation is building a software platform that spans cloud infrastructure, robot operating systems, and everything in between. We're looking for a robotics software engineer who enjoys owning large technical problems across the entire stack.
• This is a highly cross-functional role with broad technical ownership. You'll architect and build the software services that connect cloud infrastructure, developer tooling, and on-robot systems into a cohesive robotics platform.
• You'll have the opportunity to influence the architecture of our robotics software stack from the ground up, helping define how engineers develop, deploy, monitor, and interact with every robot we build.
• Rather than owning a narrow subsystem, you'll work across cloud services, robot infrastructure, operating systems, and developer tools—solving the problems that unlock velocity for the entire engineering organization.
• You'll collaborate closely with AI, autonomy, controls, embedded, and infrastructure teams to build the software foundation that enables rapid development and deployment of next-generation humanoid robots.

What Kind of Person are we looking For

• A great software generalist who is versatile and can write at scale cloud software.
• Ability to design and implement system services apps that sit on the robot computer, such as webapps and robot control interfaces.
• Focus is on higher-level software development (above firmware/OS, and lower than AI components).
• Scrappy and capable of extending into OS level implementations and software porting when necessary.
• Proven background as a generalist software engineer, comfortable operating across different layers of the software stack (from higher-level cloud applications down to OS-adjacent implementations).
• Expertise in building and scaling cloud software (e.g., distributed systems, robust APIs, data logging pipelines).
• Strong experience in designing and implementing system services applications, including web applications, user interfaces, and robot control interfaces.
• Proficiency in at least one major programming language used in cloud/systems development (e.g., C++, Python, Go, Rust).
• A "scrappy" mindset with demonstrated ability to quickly learn new technologies, port software, and delve into low-level (OS-adjacent) code when necessary.
• Familiarity with foundational computer science concepts, operating systems, and networking.