Senior Robotics Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Professional development

State-of-the-art robotics labs

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane, Limpopo, seeks a Senior Robotics Engineer to lead autonomous systems development across hardware and software. You will design, build, and test robotic platforms and their control systems, collaborating with engineers and researchers on navigation, perception and human-robot interaction.

The ideal candidate holds a Master's or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical or CS, with 6+ years in robotics engineering, strong kinematics, dynamics, and ROS/C++/Python expertise.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional robotics engineering experience focused on autonomous systems.
• Strong expertise in robot kinematics, dynamics, and control theory.
• Proficiency in C++, Python and ROS.
• Experience with sensor fusion, SLAM and computer vision techniques.
• Hands-on hardware integration, testing and debugging.
• Familiarity with Gazebo or CoppeliaSim simulation tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and systems-thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement robotic systems including hardware integration and control design.
• Develop and refine navigation, path planning, localization, and object recognition algorithms.
• Implement and test autonomous control strategies and decision-making.
• Work with simulation environments to test and validate robotics systems.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical and software teams.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and technical risks in robotics development.
• Conduct system integration, testing and debugging of robotic platforms.
• Stay current with robotics, AI and control theory advancements.
• Document designs, processes and test results thoroughly.
• Mentor junior robotics engineers and contribute to technical growth.

Skills

Robotics engineering

Leadership

Problem solving

Systems thinking

Team collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Architecture design

Education

Master's or PhD in Robotics

Engineering or CS field

Tools

ROS (Robot Operating System)

C++

Python

Gazebo

CoppeliaSim

SLAM

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology development firm, is seeking an experienced Senior Robotics Engineer to lead advancements in Autonomous Systems . Located in Polokwane, Limpopo , this role is central to designing, building, and testing sophisticated robotic platforms and their control systems. You will work with a team of highly skilled engineers and researchers on projects ranging from navigation and perception to human-robot interaction. The ideal candidate holds a Master's or Ph.D. in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science, with a proven track record in developing complex robotic systems. This is a unique opportunity to drive innovation in robotics and automation in Polokwane .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement robotic systems, including hardware integration, software development, and control system design.
• Develop and refine algorithms for robot navigation, path planning, localization, and object recognition using sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, and IMUs.
• Implement and test autonomous control strategies and decision-making algorithms.
• Work with simulation environments to test and validate robotic systems before deployment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and software developers.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and technical risks related to robotics development.
• Conduct system integration, testing, and debugging of robotic platforms.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in robotics, AI, and control theory.
• Document designs, processes, and test results thoroughly.
• Mentor junior robotics engineers and contribute to the team's technical growth.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in robotics engineering, with a focus on autonomous systems.
• Strong expertise in robot kinematics, dynamics, and control theory.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in robotics, such as C++, Python, and ROS (Robot Operating System).
• Experience with sensor fusion, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and computer vision techniques.
• Hands-on experience with robot hardware integration, testing, and debugging.
• Familiarity with simulation tools like Gazebo or CoppeliaSim.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to lead technical projects and mentor junior engineers.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health and wellness programs, a robust retirement plan, and significant opportunities for professional development, including specialized training and attendance at industry conferences. Employees will have access to state-of-the-art robotics labs and advanced simulation tools in Polokwane . The company fosters an innovative and collaborative work environment, prioritizing work-life balance. Performance-based incentives and potential for project leadership are key aspects of this role.