Senior Robotics Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Santa Fe Springs (CA); Remote; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Senior Robotics Engineer focused on perception and autonomy, with deep expertise in outdoor robotics, ROS 2, and sensor integration. The role involves leading perception and navigation software development for large machines, collaborating with an international R&D team, and shaping platform direction.

You will design perception systems, integrate sensors, and ensure robust field performance on real equipment, while traveling to job sites and aligning with global

Qualifications

• 10+ years of robotics software experience on outdoor platforms.
• Strong ROS 2 experience with Nav2 and perception pipelines.
• Hands-on integration of sensors with hardware on real machines.
• Proficient in C++ and Python for robotics applications.
• Clear communication across multinational teams and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Design and build environment perception from lidar, radar, cameras and GNSS to detect obstacles, people, terrain and site features.
• Build and tune navigation and autonomy on ROS 2, including Nav2, costmaps and planners.
• Integrate and evaluate new sensors on real machines and help select the sensor set.
• Design the robot application software that ties perception, planning and machine control together.
• Test on real machines in the field and translate results into improvements.
• Collaborate across time zones with the R&D team and spend in-person time when needed.
• Provide senior judgment on architecture decisions and prioritization.

Skills

ROS 2

Nav2

Perception systems

Sensor fusion

C++

Python

Clear communication

Travel willingness

Job description

Senior Robotics Engineer, Perception and Autonomy

Location: Remote, United States (Eastern or Central time preferred). Regular travel to customer job sites and to our R&D team overseas.

About the company

We are a fast growing, venture backed robotics company that turns heavy construction machines into autonomous, software defined machines. Our technology is already working every day on large energy and infrastructure projects across the US, and our business is growing quickly and is profitable. We are now building the next generation of our autonomy platform.

The role

You will lead the development of perception and navigation software that lets large machines understand their surroundings and work safely on their own on busy outdoor job sites. You will work closely with an experienced international R&D team of software, hardware and machinery engineers, and you will help shape the technical direction of the platform.

What you’ll do

• Design and build environment perception: detecting obstacles, people, terrain and site features from lidar, radar, cameras and GNSS
• Build and tune navigation and autonomy on ROS 2, including Nav2, costmaps and planners
• Integrate and evaluate new sensors on real machines, and help choose the sensor set
• Design the robot application software that ties perception, planning and machine control together
• Test on real machines in the field and turn field results into improvements
• Work across time zones with the R&D team, and spend time with them in person
• Bring senior judgement to decisions on architecture and priorities

What you’ll bring

• Senior experience in robotics software (around 10 years or more)
• Strong experience building perception systems that run on real robots or vehicles outdoors
• Hands on ROS 2 experience, ideally including Nav2
• Experience integrating sensors and software with hardware
• Strong C++ and/or Python
• Clear, patient communication with colleagues from different countries and language backgrounds
• Willingness to travel to job sites and to work some evening hours for team meetings

Nice to have

• Autonomy for off road, construction, agricultural or mowing machines
• Radar or lidar perception on compute constrained hardware
• Automotive ADAS or heavy equipment background
• Experience working with teams in Asia

Why join

Your work goes straight onto real machines on real job sites, not just into demos A profitable, growing company with strong investor backing A senior team that values ownership and good judgement Remote working with flexible hours, plus travel to the field and to the international R&D team