Robotics Software Engineer - Labs, DoorDash Air

Doordashusa; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,600 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with employer matching

16 weeks of paid parental leave

Wellness benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

Job summary

Doordashusa is seeking engineers for its drone delivery team in San Francisco, California. This role focuses on leveraging UAV technology to advance logistics through innovative solutions. You'll design software for drone systems and collaborate to develop algorithms for autonomous operation.

The ideal candidate has a relevant degree and 5+ years of experience in robotics or software development. Join us to push the boundaries of delivery technology!

Qualifications

• Experience in software development for robotics or autonomous systems.
• 5+ years of industry experience required.
• Familiarity with data processing techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy software for advanced drone hardware.
• Develop algorithms for onboard perception and sensor fusion.
• Collaborate with backend teams for a cohesive drone delivery ecosystem.

Skills

C/C++ proficiency

Python proficiency

Sensor integration

Robotics experience

Debugging tools experience

Education

Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field

Tools

ROS/ROS 2

Job description

About the Team

DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We explore robotics and automation to transform last-mile logistics in the long term. If you have experience applying the latest technology and enhance delivery experiences for millions of users, we want to talk to you.

The Drone Delivery team is focused on bringing the dream of fast, efficient, and delightful last-mile delivery through the air to life. As one of the leaders in this space, we believe in the promise of combining advanced robotics, aviation, and operational innovation to bring this high-flying technology into our 3-sided marketplace. We are a team focused on bringing our products and visions to market.

About the Role

We're expanding the drone team! We're looking for engineers passionate about leveraging UAV technology to reimagine logistics. This role focuses on developing and deploying state-of-the-art systems in real-world environments, transforming bold visions into practical solutions. If you're ready to push the boundaries of innovation, we’d love to connect.

This position will report to Engineering Management within DoorDash Labs.

You're excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Design and deploy software for advanced drone hardware, promoting autonomous flight capabilities and delivery operations.
• Work at the intersection of software, hardware, and robotics, building applications that run on a real-time capable robotics platform and interface with multiple drone sensors and actuators.
• Develop and integrate algorithms for onboard perception, sensor fusion, state estimation, and control using data from different drone sensors (e.g., IMU, GPS, camera, and lidar).
• Use ROS/ROS 2 to build modular robotic applications for autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and payload management.
• Implement communication protocols to promote seamless data exchange between the drone, ground control stations, and cloud backend systems.
• Conduct rigorous testing and debugging of on-drone software using simulations, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) setups, and real-world flight testing.
• Collaborate with backend and infrastructure teams to provide a cohesive and integrated drone delivery ecosystem.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in drone technology and robotics.

We're excited about you because…

• A degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of industry experience in software development for robotics or autonomous systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Experience with ROS/ROS 2.
• Familiarity with sensor integration and data processing techniques.
• Experience with debugging tools and techniques for robotic systems.
• Experience with robotics, drones, and autonomous systems.
• Must be comfortable regularly exercising discretion and independent judgment in performing job duties, including evaluating options, making informed decisions, and determining appropriate courses of action within the scope of assigned responsibilities.

Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only

We use Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023, and resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024.

The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: Covey.

Compensation

The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.

In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants. Talk to your recruiter for more information.

DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.

To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.

See below for paid time off details:

• For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
• For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month).

The national base pay ranges for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado.

• USD 130,600 — 192,000
• USD 159,800 — 235,000
• USD 193,800 — 285,000

About DoorDash

At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods. DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We’re committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.

Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.

If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.

Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only

We used Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provided Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023. We resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024, and ceased using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 30, 2026.

The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: https://getcovey.com/nyc-local-law-144.