Senior Software Engineer, Motion Planning

Standard Bots; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock options

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Standard Bots in San Francisco is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join our motion planning team and advance robotic arm control systems.

You will collaborate with engineers, leaders, and users to unlock new potential, implement core functionality, and guide technical decisions with a focus on simplicity, reliability, and velocity.

This role emphasizes mentorship, hands-on development, and delivering high-impact robotics software in a fast-paced, ambitious environment.

Qualifications

• Motion planning experience with algorithms for robotic arms or related domains
• Backend systems development across full stack
• 5+ years in software engineering; PhD considered
• Growth mindset and optimistic about solving robotics problems
• Strong written and verbal communication to diverse audiences
• Impact-driven with a focus on practical robotics solutions
• Proactive focus on simplicity, reliability, and velocity in robotics apps
• Ability to adapt in dynamic, ambitious teams

Responsibilities

• Implement core functionality surrounding motion planning service
• Identify, scope, and drive high impact robotics projects
• Advise leadership on technical decisions and robotics strategy
• Mentor and advise other engineers on motion planning concepts

Skills

Motion planning

Backend development

Leadership & mentoring

Communication

Robotics domain knowledge

Education

PhD in robotics or related field

Tools

ROS2

MoveIt2

Docker

Github Actions

Node.js

Python

C++

Job description

About Standard Bots

Standard Bot's mission is to significantly lower the barrier to entry to real-world automation, bringing the power of bits to the world of atoms and unlocking productivity for entire new industries and users. We specialize in developing intuitive solutions for robotic arm manipulation and control, making advanced motion planning accessible to a broader range of industries.

About Standard Bots

Standard Bot's mission is to significantly lower the barrier to entry to real-world automation, bringing the power of bits to the world of atoms and unlocking productivity for entire new industries and users. We specialize in developing intuitive solutions for robotic arm manipulation and control, making advanced motion planning accessible to a broader range of industries. Our user facing applications and APIs directly empower individuals and developers to jump directly into solving their challenges through sophisticated yet approachable robotic arm control systems. A relentless focus on simplicity and ease of use brings this revolutionary potential to new users and industries.

What you'll do

We're looking for seasoned and skilled technical leaders to help architect the future of robotics through best in class, modern software engineering practices. As a Senior Software Engineer on our motion planning team, you will work with other engineers, organizational leaders, and users to advance our robotic arm control systems and unlock entirely new potential for our users.

Responsibilities

• Implement core functionality surrounding our motion planning service
• Identify, scope, and drive high impact technical projects in robotic manipulation
• Advise leadership on technical decisions and strategy in robotics
• Mentor and advise other engineers on best practices and motion planning concepts

Tech Stack

• Stack: Node.js, Python, C++
• Motion Planning: ROS2, MoveIt2
• Infrastructure: Docker, Github Actions

Who you are

We're looking for engineers who are self-driven, optimistic, creative, and resourceful who are interested in working deep in a robotics stack. Motion planning experience is required for this role.

Skills you'll bring

• Motion planning experience: You have experience writing motion planning algorithms. Robotic arm experience is preferred, but motion planning for autonomous vehicles and related domains is also considered.
• Backend experience: You have covered all parts of driving a project to completion, focusing mainly on backend services
• Experience: You have a strong technical background, including 5+ total years of experience in software engineering, with ideally 3+ of those years working with robotic systems and complex software environments. In lieu of formal work experience, we will also consider a relevant PhD + research projects.
• Growth + Optimism: You are excited by challenging robotics problems and eager to make sophisticated motion planning accessible to non-experts
• Clarity of Communication: You excel in written and verbal communication and can effectively explain complex robotics concepts to diverse audiences
• Impact Driven: You relentlessly seek user impact and value practical solutions over technical idealism
• Proactive Simplicity: You prioritize simplicity, reliability, and velocity in robotics applications and proactively identify opportunities to improve motion planning systems
• Excelling in Ambitious Environments: You excel in dynamic and ambitious environments, working with a diverse group of individuals and backgrounds

Nice to Haves

• Algorithmic focused experience: Many of our projects require diving deeper into the motion planning algorithm stack, so an algorithmic focused background is preferred
• ROS/Moveit2 Experience: We prefer someone with ROS experience to quickly get up to speed with our motion planning stack
• Full-stack Experience: While this role is primarily backend, familiarity with frontend development is valuable in our full-stack environment.

Compensation and Benefits:

The base salary range for this role is $180,000 to $240,000, depending on experience. We are open to a variety of seniority levels for this role and will build compensation packages that are commensurate with seniority and skill level. Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at Standard Bots. All Full-Time Employees are eligible for Employee Stock Options. We also offer a package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees.

Compensation Range: $180K - $240K