Senior Robotics Engineer

As a Senior Robotics Engineer at Azalea Robotics, you will own core autonomy software end to end: from the localization, mapping, and steering that drive the mobile bases in our ARC 1 systems, through the trajectory generation, planning, and control that drive our manipulators. You will take algorithms from concept to deployed hardware, working closely with perception, applications, and hardware teams. Candidates should have a strong background in robotics, state estimation, motion planning, control theory, optimization, and system dynamics.

Responsibilities Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain core autonomy software across the stack: localization, mapping, and steering for our mobile bases, and trajectory generation, path planning, and control for our robotic platforms
• Design and implement real-time trajectory optimization and model predictive control strategies, and lead the development of robust, adaptive control systems
• Develop novel motion planning algorithms (sampling-based and optimization-based) for complex, high-DOF robotic systems
• Test software directly on real hardware, closing the loop between algorithm development and on-robot performance
• Create and maintain simulation environments for testing and validating autonomy algorithms
• Integrate autonomy software into the broader Azalea software stack, partnering closely with perception, applications, and hardware teams
• Debug and resolve issues spanning software, sensor behavior, and platform-level interactions on live systems
• Evaluate and incorporate relevant advances in SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, sensor fusion, motion planning, optimization, and control theory
• Contribute to architectural decisions about sensor selection, compute, and software design for current and future platforms
• Mentor and guide junior team members on autonomy, planning, and controls projects
• Support deployment and field teams when autonomy issues arise in pre-shipment testing or at customer sites

Required Skills

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on engineering experience).

• 5+ years of industry experience in robotics, shipping production autonomy software on deployed platforms (AVs, AMRs, AGVs, or robotic manipulators)

• Expert-level Modern C++ (14/17/20), including a deep understanding of memory management, multi-threading, and the development of deterministic, real-time systems

• Strong Python skills for rapid prototyping, data analysis, and tool development

• Deep understanding of 3D geometry, linear algebra, and coordinate transformations (quaternions, SE(3))

• Demonstrated depth in at least one of the following, with working breadth across the others:

• State estimation: probabilistic robotics, Kalman filtering (EKF, UKF), nonlinear optimization, SLAM

• Motion planning: sampling-based methods and trajectory optimization

• Controls: real-time control, MPC, system dynamics

• Proven track record of real-world deployment, with experience testing and debugging software on physical robotic hardware rather than relying solely on simulation

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment where project scope and priorities can shift rapidly

• Willingness to travel (infrequently, for 1–2 week periods) for onsite setup and calibration of customer deployments

Our Culture Azalea Robotics is a team of passionate engineers and researchers dedicated to solving complex problems in robotics and artificial intelligence, while maintaining a laser focus on solving real world problems. We value creativity, critical thinking, and a hands-on approach to development.

Azalea Robotics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. We offer competitive compensation, including salary, stock options, and benefits.