Robotics Software Engineer

Whelix; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

On-site role in Boston

Job summary

Whelix, a Boston-based startup building AI-native robots to automate wet lab work, seeks a Robotics Software Engineer to design, build and test software for our robots, from motor drivers to motion planning and ROS 2.

You will work on-site in Boston, MA, with our robotics software, mechanical and electrical teams, helping deploy systems to pharma and biotech labs. Proficiency in Python, C++, ROS 2, Linux, Git and Docker is expected.

Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in CS, ME, EE, Aerospace, Robotics or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in Python and modern C++, with hands-on ROS 2.
• Experience with robotics simulators and Linux tooling (Git, Docker).

Responsibilities

• Build robot software to control motors, drivers and sensors with ROS 2.
• Develop motion planning, computer vision and integration with lab tools.
• Ensure reliability with testing, fault recovery and continuous deployment.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers and support installs at labs.

Skills

Python

C++

ROS 2

Linux

Git

Docker

Education

BS, MS, or PhD in CS/ME/EE/Robotics or related field

Tools

PyBullet

MuJoCo

Gazebo

Job description

Whelix builds AI-native robots that automate wet lab work, starting with cell culture. We are a Boston-based startup deploying into pharma and biotech today. We are seeking a Robotics Software Engineer to design, build and test the software that runs our robots, from motor and device drivers to motion planning, computer vision and the ROS 2 system. This is a full-time, hands-on, on-site role in Boston, MA, reporting to the CTO. Salary is $100,000 to $150,000 per year plus early-stage equity, with medical, dental and vision benefits.

About WhelixWhelix builds intelligent robots that automate wet lab work, starting with cell culture, for biotech and pharmaceutical research. By integrating AI agents with proprietary engineered robotics, our systems eliminate repetitive, error-prone workflows, freeing scientists to focus on discovery while increasing experimental throughput, reproducibility, and scientific impact. Based in Boston, Whelix is deploying systems into pharmaceutical, biotech and academic labs today and actively scaling up production to serve more customers.

DescriptionRole OverviewAs a Robotics Software Engineer, you will design, build and test the software that runs our robots, from motor and device drivers over CAN and EtherCAT to motion planning, computer vision and the ROS 2 system. You will help turn lab workflows into reliable, automated robot behavior that works with standard lab tools. You will work with our robotics software, mechanical and electrical engineers, and with the scientists who use the machine. This is a full-time, hands-on, on-site role in Boston, reporting to the CTO, with some travel to customer labs.

What you'll do

• Build robot behaviors in C++, Python and ROS 2 that handle standard lab tools and consumables reliably
• Develop motion planning and control for precise moves in tight, constrained workspaces
• Apply computer vision so the robot can find, verify and interact with lab consumables and equipment
• Make the robot reliable, with automatic recovery from device, bus and camera faults and safety checks enforced on the machine
• Help own deployment, from robot container images and services to hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Integrate and test with our mechanical and electrical engineers, and support installs at customer labs

What we're looking for

• BS, MS or PhD in CS, ME, EE, Aerospace, Robotics or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Proficiency in Python and modern C++, with hands-on ROS 2
• Experience with a robotics simulator (e.g., PyBullet, MuJoCo, Gazebo)
• Comfortable on Linux, with Git and Docker
• Hands-on experience with real robots (arms, gantries, actuators), from industry, internships, co-ops or research
• A safety mindset, and excitement for a fast-paced startup
• Able to work on-site in Boston, MA, with occasional travel to customer labs

Nice to have

• Motor control over CAN or EtherCAT, including drive configuration, homing, limits and fault recovery
• Computer vision in production, or AI-based robotic control
• Experience shipping software that controls physical machines to customers
• Exposure to biotech, lab automation or wet-lab environments