Software Engineering Manager / Motion Planning

Motion Recruitment; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Motion Recruitment in Boston seeks an experienced engineering leader to oversee a team focused on robotic autonomy and intelligent motion systems. The role combines people management with hands-on software development to enable safe operation in demanding industrial environments.

You will shape technical direction, culture, and scalable processes, empowering engineers to excel while aligning engineering outcomes with ambitious product goals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software development experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or related fields.
• 2+ years of leading and managing engineering teams.
• Strong background in C++ and Python.
• Proven mentoring experience and career growth support.
• Experience driving technical initiatives from concept to deployment.
• Excellent communication across engineering, product, and leadership teams.
• Experience prioritizing work, delivering projects, and driving team performance in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing robotics software team.
• Define technical direction and architecture for autonomous motion systems.
• Collaborate with product, QA, and operations to ensure successful deployments.
• Translate ambitious product goals into concrete engineering outcomes.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring engineers

Technical strategy

Effective communication

Priority management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in CS/Robotics/Engineering

Tools

C++

Python

ROS

Simulation environments

Job description

An emerging robotics company in the Greater Boston area is looking for an experienced engineering leader to oversee a team focused on robotic autonomy and intelligent motion systems. This full-time leadership position combines people management, technical strategy, and hands-on involvement in the development of software that enables robots to operate safely and effectively in demanding industrial environments. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys building high-performing teams while remaining closely connected to complex technical challenges.

Unlike a traditional engineering management role, this position sits at the heart of a rapidly evolving robotics organization where leadership extends beyond project oversight. You'll help define technical direction, shape engineering culture, and create the processes that allow a robotics team to scale successfully. The company is seeking a manager who can balance long-term planning with day-to-day execution, empower engineers to do their best work, and translate ambitious product goals into tangible engineering outcomes.

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of experience developing software for robotics, autonomous systems, or related fields
• 2+ years leading and managing engineering teams
• Strong software development background with expertise in C++ and Python
• Demonstrated success mentoring engineers and supporting career growth
• Experience driving technical initiatives from concept through deployment
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work across engineering, product, and leadership teams
• Experience managing priorities, project delivery, and team performance in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Robotics, Engineering, or a related discipline

Desired Skills & Experience

• Familiarity with robotic motion generation, controls, or autonomous navigation systems
• Experience with robotics middleware such as ROS
• Knowledge of simulation environments and virtual testing platforms
• Understanding of optimization, planning, or decision-making algorithms used in robotics
• Experience scaling engineering organizations through periods of rapid growth
• Passion for emerging automation and robotics technologies

What You Will Be Doing Tech Breakdown

• 35% Engineering Leadership & Team Development
• 25% Technical Strategy & Architecture
• 20% Robotics Software Design
• 20% Cross-Functional Planning & Execution

Daily Responsibilities

• 40% Team Leadership & Coaching
• 30% Technical Reviews & Problem Solving
• 20% Organizational Collaboration
• 10% Strategic Planning

The Offer Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis now and in the future.

Posted By: Kaylyn Romano