Senior Robotics Engineer (Motion Planning) (1143801)

Responsibilities

• Trajectory Optimization
• Own trajectory generation and time parameterization, converting planned paths into time-optimal, dynamically feasible trajectories.
• Minimize cycle times while respecting velocity, acceleration, jerk, torque, and payload constraints.
• Drive performance improvements through advanced time parameterization techniques and optimization-based motion planning approaches, including optimal control and QP/NLP-based methods.
• Develop smooth, jerk-limited motion profiles that maximize hardware safety and payload stability.
• Address kinematic edge cases such as singularities and joint-limit constraints.
• Path Planning and Motion Architecture
• Lead geometric path planning for high-degree-of-freedom robotic manipulators operating in complex and cluttered environments.
• Evaluate, architect, and improve motion-planning frameworks and toolchains, including technologies such as MoveIt, OMPL, CHOMP, and TrajOpt.
• Integrate perception outputs into planning environments for collision-aware motion execution.
• Ensure robust collision avoidance around structures, obstacles, and neighboring objects.
• Performance Validation
• Define and track key motion-performance metrics.
• Benchmark alternative planning approaches and validate performance gains in simulation and on physical robotic systems.
• Utilize physics-based and kinematic simulation environments to de-risk deployments and improve system reliability.
• Technical Leadership
• Establish technical direction for motion-planning initiatives.
• Drive long-term improvements in cycle time, throughput, and operational reliability.
• Mentor and support junior and mid-level engineers.
• Collaborate closely with autonomy, perception, controls, and software engineering teams to deliver high-performing robotic solutions.

  Requirements

  • Experience 5+ years of professional experience in:
  • Motion planning
  • Trajectory optimization
  • Robotic manipulator control
  • Demonstrated experience deploying robotic systems on real hardware.
  • Proven ownership of motion-planning performance and system optimization.
  • Education
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in:
  • Robotics
  • Computer Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Related technical field
  • Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
  • Technical Skills
  • Strong expertise in classical trajectory generation and time-parameterization methods, including:
  • TOTG/TOPP
  • Ruckig
  • S-curve motion profiles
  • Deep understanding of manipulator kinematics and dynamics, including:
  • Forward and inverse kinematics
  • Collision checking
  • Velocity, acceleration, jerk, and torque constraints
  • Singularity handling
  • Joint-limit management
  • Experience with optimization-based motion planning approaches such as:
  • Optimal control
  • Quadratic programming (QP)
  • Nonlinear programming (NLP)
  • Strong proficiency in:
  • Modern C++
  • Python
  • ROS1 and/or ROS2
  • Experience validating performance improvements through simulation and real-world testing.
  • Soft Skills
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to lead complex technical initiatives with minimal direction.
  • Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Experience mentoring and developing engineers.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with MoveIt and related planning frameworks.
  • Knowledge of motion-planning algorithms including:
  • RRT
  • RTT-Connect
  • PRM
  • CHOMP
  • TrajOpt
  • Experience working with industrial robotic manipulators and real-time control systems.
  • Experience optimizing throughput and cycle time in production robotics environments.
  • Experience with multi-object or multi-pick manipulation planning.
  • Experience using simulation platforms such as:
  • Isaac Sim
  • Gazebo
  • MuJoCo
  • Bullet

  Qualifications

  • Experience 5+ years of professional experience in:
  • Motion planning
  • Trajectory optimization
  • Robotic manipulator control
  • Demonstrated experience deploying robotic systems on real hardware.
  • Proven ownership of motion-planning performance and system optimization.
  • Education
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in:
  • Robotics
  • Computer Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Related technical field
  • Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
  • Technical Skills
  • Strong expertise in classical trajectory generation and time-parameterization methods, including:
  • TOTG/TOPP
  • Ruckig
  • S-curve motion profiles
  • Deep understanding of manipulator kinematics and dynamics, including:
  • Forward and inverse kinematics
  • Collision checking
  • Velocity, acceleration, jerk, and torque constraints
  • Singularity handling
  • Joint-limit management
  • Experience with optimization-based motion planning approaches such as:
  • Optimal control
  • Quadratic programming (QP)
  • Nonlinear programming (NLP)
  • Strong proficiency in:
  • Modern C++
  • Python
  • ROS1 and/or ROS2
  • Experience validating performance improvements through simulation and real-world testing.
  • Soft Skills
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to lead complex technical initiatives with minimal direction.
  • Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Experience mentoring and developing engineers.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with MoveIt and related planning frameworks.
  • Knowledge of motion-planning algorithms including:
  • RRT
  • RTT-Connect
  • PRM
  • CHOMP
  • TrajOpt
  • Experience working with industrial robotic manipulators and real-time control systems.
  • Experience optimizing throughput and cycle time in production robotics environments.
  • Experience with multi-object or multi-pick manipulation planning.
  • Experience using simulation platforms such as:
  • Isaac Sim
  • Gazebo
  • MuJoCo
  • Bullet