Senior Robotics Motion Planning Engineer

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Robotics Engineer – Motion Planning to lead the development of motion planning software for our advanced robotic platform. This role involves designing and optimizing collision-aware trajectory planning, integrating sensor-driven planning capabilities, and working closely with hardware and systems engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of motion planning software for a complex multi-axis robotic platform
• Design and optimize collision-aware trajectory planning for tightly constrained robotic workspaces
• Configure and extend MoveIt 2 planning pipelines, kinematic models, and planning scenes
• Develop robust path planning algorithms utilizing OMPL, RRT, PRM, CHOMP, STOMP, and related planning frameworks
• Implement ROS2 nodes supporting motion planning, trajectory execution, actuator feedback, and robot state management
• Collaborate with perception engineers to integrate sensor-driven planning capabilities
• Work with hardware and systems engineers to define kinematic limits, motion profiles, and safety constraints
• Perform hands-on debugging and optimization directly on production robotic systems during development and field deployments
• Write clean, maintainable, production-quality software while documenting architecture and design decisions
• Continuously improve robot performance, reliability, and cycle time through planning optimization

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 6+ years of professional robotics software development experience
• Deep expertise in robotic motion planning and trajectory generation
• Production experience with ROS2 and MoveIt or MoveIt 2
• Strong understanding of sampling-based planners including RRT, RRT*, RRT-Connect, and PRM
• Experience with trajectory optimization techniques including CHOMP, STOMP, TrajOpt, or similar frameworks
• Expertise in forward and inverse kinematics using KDL, TRAC-IK, or equivalent libraries
• Strong C++ and Python development skills
• Experience implementing collision avoidance and real-time path planning
• Experience integrating robotics software with physical hardware
• Strong debugging skills across both software and electromechanical systems

Desired Skills

• MS or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline
• Experience with industrial automation or complex mechatronic systems
• Experience with real-time robotic controls and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Familiarity with low-level motor control, firmware interfaces, or hardware abstraction layers
• Experience with perception systems including LiDAR, RGB-D cameras, IMUs, SLAM, or point cloud processing
• Knowledge of deterministic industrial planners such as Pilz Motion Planner
• Experience deploying robotics solutions into production manufacturing or industrial environments

Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus bonus and equity potential
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics deployed in real industrial environments
• A high-impact engineering role with significant ownership and technical influence
• A collaborative startup environment with direct access to leadership and rapid career growth