Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Planning and Control

Chef Robotics™, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading robotics company is looking for a Senior Robotics Software Engineer focused on motion planning and control systems. You will drive the development of advanced algorithms to optimize and execute food preparation workflows in dynamic kitchen environments. Join a passionate team and enjoy competitive salary, early-stage equity, and a great benefits package in a startup-oriented environment.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Commuter benefits

Flexible paid time off (PTO)

Catered lunch

401(k) matching

Equity options

Qualifications

• 7+ years in robotics software development with a focus on planning and control.
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and/or C++.
• Deep understanding of motion planning algorithms including sampling-based and optimization-based approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of classical and learning-based motion planning algorithms for food preparation workflows.
• Design and implement advanced control algorithms for robot motion during food preparation.
• Develop high-level planning systems that translate recipes into executable commands.

Skills

Motion Planning

Trajectory Optimization

Real-Time Control Systems

Problem Solving

Education

BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Python

C++

Linux

ROS

Job description

About Our Team

Chef Robotics is on a mission to accelerate the advent of intelligent machines in the physical world. As the rise of LLMs like ChatGPT has shown, AI has the potential to drive immense change. However, we believe AI’s biggest impact will be in the physical world, given industries like manufacturing, food, and transportation represent 90% of global GDP. We're starting with food, with a goal to put an intelligent robot in every commercial kitchen in the world. We have signed multiple multi-year contracts with various large food companies and we are growing fast. We're backed by investors like Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg BETA and Promus Ventures. We have a great team, where you will be surrounded by talented engineers and tech leaders from companies like Cruise, Zoox, Google, Verb Surgical, Tesla, Nuro, Vicarious, Amazon Robotics, Strateos, Built Robotics, Facebook, Plenty, Yelp, and Microsoft.

About the Role

As a Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Planning and Control at Chef Robotics, you'll lead the development of sophisticated motion planning and control systems that orchestrate complex food preparation workflows. You'll be responsible for designing and implementing high-level planning algorithms that coordinate multi-step recipes, optimize robot trajectories for efficiency and safety, and ensure smooth execution across dynamic kitchen environments. This role requires expertise in motion planning, trajectory optimization, and real-time control systems that can adapt to the fast-paced demands of commercial food production.

As a small team, we are focused on building a positive in-office culture. We are looking for individuals who are available to work onsite at the office five days a week and can work start-up-oriented hours.

Advanced Motion Planning & Trajectory Optimization

• Lead the development of classical and learning-based motion planning algorithms for complex food preparation workflows

• Design and implement trajectory optimization systems that balance speed, safety, and precision across multi-step recipes
• Develop robust path planning algorithms that handle dynamic obstacles and changing kitchen environments
• Create adaptive planning systems that can replan in real-time based on changing conditions or recipe modifications
• Implement global and local planning strategies for efficient task sequencing and execution

Control Systems & Real-Time Execution

• Design and implement advanced control algorithms for precise robot motion during food preparation tasks
• Develop real-time control systems that ensure smooth trajectory execution with appropriate safety constraints
• Create feedback control loops that adapt to unexpected situations and maintain system stability
• Implement model predictive control and other advanced control techniques for optimal performance
• Design fail-safe mechanisms and emergency stop procedures for safe operation in commercial environments

Recipe Planning & Task Coordination

• Develop high-level planning systems that translate recipes into executable robot commands and motion sequences
• Create intelligent task scheduling algorithms that optimize workflow efficiency across multiple preparation steps
• Design coordination systems for managing complex multi-ingredient recipes with timing constraints
• Implement planning algorithms that can handle recipe variations and ingredient substitutions
• Develop systems for dynamic replanning when recipe modifications or interruptions occur

Performance Analysis & Optimization

• Analyze planning and control performance across different recipes and operational conditions
• Optimize trajectories and control parameters for maximum throughput while maintaining food quality and safety
• Develop metrics and monitoring systems to evaluate planning efficiency and execution accuracy
• Create data collection and analysis pipelines to continuously improve planning and control algorithms
• Implement performance benchmarking systems for planning and control subsystems

System Architecture & Integration

• Contribute to overall robotics software architecture design with focus on planning and control subsystems
• Design clean interfaces between planning/control algorithms and perception, manipulation, and execution systems
• Lead integration of planning systems with real-time control and safety monitoring components
• Establish software engineering standards and best practices for planning and control code
• Mentor junior engineers and drive technical decision-making for planning and control initiatives

Required Qualifications - Technical Expertise

• BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of professional experience in robotics software development with focus on planning and control
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and/or C++ with strong software engineering fundamentals
• Deep understanding of motion planning algorithms including sampling-based, optimization-based, and learning-based approaches
• Extensive experience with trajectory optimization, path planning, and trajectory smoothing techniques
• Proven experience leading and shipping complex robotics planning and control projects
• Strong background with real-time control systems and feedback control design

Domain Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of robotic motion planning including RRT, PRM, and optimization-based planning methods
• Experience with trajectory optimization techniques and numerical optimization methods
• Understanding of control theory including PID, model predictive control, and adaptive control strategies
• Knowledge of robot dynamics, kinematics, and constraint-based planning
• Experience with real-time systems and deterministic control loop implementation

Personal Attributes

• Excellent mathematical skills, especially with geometry, optimization, control theory, and linear algebra
• Strong problem-solving abilities with systematic approach to complex planning and control challenges
• Leadership experience with ability to mentor junior engineers and drive technical initiatives
• Comfort with working in a fast-paced startup environment with startup-oriented hours
• Commitment to working onsite five days a week to contribute to positive in-office culture
• Passion for robotics and food automation technology

Desired Qualifications

• Startup experience with track record of shipping working products under tight deadlines
• Robotics research experience, including publications in motion planning, control, or related fields
• Experience with the robotics tech stack including Linux, ROS, OpenCV, CUDA
• Knowledge of calibration, state estimation, and sensor fusion for planning and control
• Experience with basic mechatronics and electronics relevant to control systems
• Background in manufacturing automation, food production, or industrial robotics
• Experience with machine learning approaches to motion planning and control
• Knowledge of multi-robot coordination and task allocation algorithms

Key Projects You'll Lead

• Developing next-generation recipe planning systems for complex multi-step food preparation
• Implementing advanced trajectory optimization frameworks for high-speed, precise motion
• Creating adaptive planning algorithms that handle dynamic kitchen environments
• Leading integration of planning and control systems with perception and manipulation subsystems
• Establishing planning and control testing frameworks for production deployment validation

$150,000 - $240,000 a year

Chef is an early-stage startup where equity is a major part of the compensation package. As the company secures more capital, we will gradually increase salary and cash compensation. The starting salary will depend on seniority.

In addition to salary and early-stage equity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, commuter benefits, flexible paid time off (PTO), catered lunch, and 401(k) matching.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizen status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, age, pregnancy status, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other protected status.

Multiple studies have found that a higher percentage of women and BIPOC candidates won't apply if they don't meet every listed qualification. Chef values candidates of all backgrounds. If you find yourself excited by our mission but you don't check every box in the description, we encourage you to apply anyway!