Senior Robotics Engineer

Harvey Nash; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey Nash is seeking a Senior Robotics Engineer to advance autonomous robotic systems across perception, planning, and control. You will work at the intersection of software, sensors, hardware, and real-world environments, taking ownership and shaping the robotics roadmap with a collaborative team.

This hands-on role entails building production-grade robotics software using C++ and Python, integrating ROS/ROS 2, and applying AI/vision techniques to improve autonomy and reliability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional robotics or autonomous systems experience.
• Strong programming skills in modern C++ and Python.
• Experience with ROS or ROS 2.
• Deep knowledge in motion planning, localization/SLAM, CV, or sensor fusion.
• Experience interacting with hardware and debugging across software/hardware domains.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy production-grade robotics software (C++/Python).
• Develop capabilities across motion planning, controls, localization, navigation, perception, and sensor fusion.
• Build and optimize systems using ROS/ROS 2.
• Integrate cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, encoders, actuators, and other hardware.
• Apply AI/vision techniques to improve autonomy.
• Develop simulation, testing, calibration, and hardware-in-the-loop infra.
• Debug issues spanning software, firmware, electronics, and mechanics.
• Improve reliability, safety, and scalability for real-world deployment.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and mentor engineers.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS/ROS 2

Motion planning

Localization/SLAM

Computer vision

Sensor fusion

Linux

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in robotics or related field

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Linux tools

Simulation

Job description

Work Model: Full-time | On-site with WFH and Remote Flexibility

Build Robots That Work in the Real World

We’re looking for a Senior Robotics Engineer to help develop the next generation of intelligent, autonomous robotic systems. You’ll work at the intersection of robotics software, perception, motion planning, controls, and AI—turning cutting-edge research into reliable technology that performs outside the lab.

This is a hands on engineering role for someone who loves solving complex problems across software, sensors, hardware, and real-world environments. You’ll have meaningful technical ownership, influence the robotics roadmap, and work alongside a highly collaborative team building technology from the ground up.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and deploy production-grade robotics software using C++ and Python
• Develop capabilities across motion planning, controls, localization, navigation, perception, and sensor fusion
• Build and optimize systems using ROS/ROS 2
• Integrate cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, encoders, actuators, and other robotic hardware
• Apply modern AI, machine learning, and computer vision techniques to improve robotic intelligence and autonomy
• Develop simulation, testing, calibration, diagnostics, and hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure
• Debug complex issues spanning software, firmware, electronics, and mechanical systems
• Improve system reliability, safety, performance, and scalability for real-world deployment
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, embedded, AI, and product teams
• Mentor other engineers and help shape technical standards and architecture

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of professional experience building robotics, autonomous systems, or intelligent hardware products
• Strong programming skills in modern C++ and Python
• Experience with ROS or ROS 2
• Deep knowledge in one or more areas such as:
• Motion planning and controls
• Localization, mapping, and SLAM
• Computer vision and robotic perception
• Sensor fusion
• Manipulation
• Experience developing and debugging systems that interact with physical hardware
• Familiarity with Linux, Git, CI/CD, simulation, and automated testing
• Strong systems-thinking skills and the ability to operate across technical disciplines
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience

Bonus Points

• Experience with NVIDIA Isaac, Gazebo, MuJoCo, CUDA, PyTorch, OpenCV, or real-time systems
• Background deploying robots into production or customer environments
• Experience with edge AI, foundation models, vision-language-action models, reinforcement learning, or learned control
• Knowledge of functional safety, fault-tolerant systems, or robotics security
• Experience leading major technical initiatives in a fast-paced startup environment

Why Join Us?

• Build advanced robotic systems with meaningful real-world applications
• Work with the newest technologies across robotics, AI, autonomy, and intelligent hardware
• Own critical technical decisions from early architecture through deployment
• Collaborate with an ambitious, multidisciplinary engineering team
• Join at a stage where your ideas and engineering judgment will directly influence the product and company
• Competitive compensation, equity, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for continued professional growth