Robotics Engineer - Autonomous Laboratory Automation

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

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.