Robotics Engineer, Autonomy

Contoro Robotics; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Contoro Robotics in Austin, TX is seeking a Robotics Software Engineer to contribute to the motion planning and autonomous behavior systems on their advanced unloading robot. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of experience in developing robotic software and proficiency in C++ and Python.

This role involves collaboration with engineers across various areas to implement reliable and efficient robotic solutions, making a significant impact in the field of warehouse automation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience developing software for deployed robotic systems.
• Experience with mechanical engineering and related field concepts.
• Strong understanding of kinematics and collision avoidance.

Responsibilities

• Contribute and advance specific motion planning modules.
• Improve pick success rate through software changes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on integration.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS

Debugging skills

Motion planning

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Linux

MoveIt

Docker

Job description

Join Contoro Robotics – Revolutionizing Warehouse Automation with Cutting-Edge Robotics

At Contoro Robotics, we're on a mission to solve labor challenges through advanced robotic solutions. Headquartered in Austin, TX, our fast-growing startup is transforming the supply chain industry with our flagship warehouse automation technology. Our team is made up of top-tier experts in robotics, AI, and logistics, working together to push the boundaries of automation.

We’re looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join us on this journey—helping shape the future of robotics while growing alongside a world-class team. If you're passionate about innovation, problem-solving, and making a real-world impact, we want to hear from you!

About Contoro

Contoro Robotics is an Austin based startup focused on warehouse automation. We design a state-of-the‑art autonomous truck unloading system capable of lifting boxes over 60 lbs.

The Role

We are hiring a robotics software engineer to contribute to the motion planning and autonomous behavior systems on our unloading robot. You will work with senior engineers to advance specific autonomy modules - including grasp planning, trajectory execution, collision avoidance, and behavior logic. These systems run in production across a fleet of active robots. You will partner closely with perception, hardware, and operations engineers to deliver reliable picks across a wide range of box configurations.

Responsibilities

• Contribute and advance specific motion planning modules, including grasp planning, trajectory generation, and collision avoidance

• Contribute to the behavior tree that governs the robot's autonomous unloading cycle, including pick selection, drop verification, and error recovery

• Improve pick success rate and cycle time through software changes

• Debug and resolve production issues through remote log analysis and telemetry

• Write and maintain automated tests for motion planning and behavior logic

• Collaborate with perception, hardware, and trajectory optimization engineers on cross-system integration

• Participate in design reviews and contribute to module-level technical decisions

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

• 3+ years of professional experience developing software for deployed robotic systems

• Proficiency in C++ and Python in production robotics environments

• Experience with ROS and motion planning frameworks (e.g., MoveIt)

• Working knowledge of kinematics, inverse kinematics, and collision avoidance for manipulators

• Experience with behavior trees or state machines for robot autonomy

• Strong debugging skills and the ability to diagnose issues in production systems

• Familiarity with Linux-based development environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with industrial manipulators (KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, UR, or similar)

• Familiarity with grasp planning and manipulation under occlusion

• Familiarity with occupancy mapping for collision avoidance

• Experience with Docker-based deployment and cloud-based logging/monitoring

• Prior work in warehouse automation, surgical robotics, logistics, or pick-and-place applications