Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Manipulation & Automation
At Slip Robotics, we are at the forefront of revolutionizing the logistics and automation industry with cutting-edge robotic solutions. Our mission is to transform the way goods move through the world by designing and building autonomous systems that enhance trailer loading and unloading to drive efficiencies throughout the supply chain. We believe in the power of innovation and collaboration, and our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in robotics. Join us and help shape the future of automation!
The Role
We are seeking a highly skilled Sr. Robotics Software Engineer to lead the development of our next-generation automated payload handling cell. You will design and implement manipulation software solutions for a multi-arm robotic workcell integrated with conveyors to autonomously load payloads onto Slip's SlipBot platform—targeting 10x throughput improvements over manual operations.
This is a high-impact role where you will own the full software stack for robotic manipulation: from motion planning and grasp optimization to vision-guided picking and real-time cell orchestration. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to integrate manipulation software components into production-ready robotic solutions deployed at Fortune 500 customer sites.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement software for autonomous robotic manipulation, including path planning, motion control, and grasp optimization algorithms
- Develop multi-robot coordination systems to orchestrate 2-4 robot arms working collaboratively with conveyor systems to achieve high-throughput payload handling
- Integrate computer vision and perception systems (3D cameras, depth sensors) for payload detection, classification, and optimal pick-point determination
- Build real-time control systems that interface with industrial robot controllers (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots) via ROS/ROS2
- Develop and maintain drivers and interfaces for sensors, PLCs, and conveyor systems (Modbus, EtherNet/IP, Profinet)
- Implement collision avoidance, functional safety protocols, and human-robot collaboration features compliant with ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066
- Create high-fidelity simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or vendor simulators) for rapid prototyping and validation of cell configurations
- Optimize cycle times and system reliability to achieve >99% uptime in 24/7 production environments
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (mechanical, electrical, operations) to ensure seamless hardware-software integration
- Build diagnostic tools, monitoring dashboards, and CI/CD pipelines to streamline development and deployment
- Stay updated on the latest advancements in robotic manipulation, machine learning for grasping, and warehouse automation
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers
Requirements
- Master's degree or higher in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in robotics software development, with hands-on experience on real robotic manipulation systems
- Expert proficiency in Python and C++ for robotics applications
- Strong experience with ROS/ROS2 framework and MoveIt for motion planning
- Experience with industrial robot programming (Fanuc TP/Karel, ABB RAPID, KUKA KRL, or UR Script)
- Proficiency with computer vision libraries (OpenCV, PCL) and 3D perception systems
- Understanding of robot kinematics, dynamics, path planning algorithms, and real-time control systems
- Experience with Linux (Ubuntu) and version control systems (Git)
- Exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to adapt in a fast-paced startup environment
- Excellent communication skills and experience working in cross-functional teams
Nice to Have
- Ph.D. in Robotics with focus on manipulation
- Experience with machine learning approaches to grasp planning (reinforcement learning, imitation learning)
- Familiarity with robot simulators (Isaac Sim, MuJoCo) and robot learning frameworks (Isaac Gym)
- Experience with conveyor system integration and PLC communication protocols
- Background in warehouse automation or logistics robotics
- Experience deploying robotic systems in production environments
- Knowledge of AWS or cloud services for robotics fleet management and data processing
- Experience building and maintaining CI/CD processes for robotics software
Benefits
- Be a part of a passionate and innovative team
- Work on groundbreaking technology in robotics and automation
- Opportunity to shape the future of logistics and freight industries
- Competitive compensation and equity options
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Permissive time off