Staff Robotics Software Engineer, Perception & AI

Symbotic

Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States · HybridFull-time$149,000–$223,000Posted Oct 30, 2026

About the role

Who we are

With its A.I.-powered robotic technology platform, Symbotic is changing the way consumer goods move through the supply chain. Intelligent software orchestrates advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system – reinventing warehouse automation for increased efficiency, speed and flexibility.

What we need

Symbotic is seeking for a Staff Robotics Software Engineer, Perception & AI to join our Perception team within our Mobile Robotics organization. Your job will be to develop robust, production-grade 3D perception systems for mobile robots while building intelligent agents and automated workflows that improve how perception data is labeled, validated, and used to drive future autonomous behaviors.

This is a senior, hands-on engineering role with ownership spanning sensor processing, algorithm development, validation, and fleet deployment. You will help scale reliable collision avoidance across a growing robot fleet while advancing AI-driven automation that reduces manual engineering effort.

What we do

The Collision group within the Perception team develops and deploys real-time vision, LiDAR perception, collision avoidance, and intelligent autonomy capabilities for industrial mobile robots operating in live distribution environments.

The team turns multi-sensor data into reliable perception and collision-prevention decisions, with a focus on maintaining safe robot movement while reducing false stops and improving fleet throughput. The team is also expanding these capabilities across new robot platforms and more demanding environments, including chilled and freezer structures.

What you'll do

Architect, implement, optimize, and maintain real-time 3D LiDAR and point-cloud perception, filtering, calibration, and sensor-noise handling algorithms using Modern C++ and Python.

Own perception functionality end to end, from sensor characterization and technical design reviews through testing, validation, and fleet deployment.

Develop intelligent agents and automated pipelines for data labeling, dataset curation, edge-case triage, and large-scale offline regression validation.

Research and build approaches for autonomous recovery, robot learning, adaptive decision-making, and behavior generation across perception-driven robotic applications.

Partner closely with Controls, System Software, and System Test teams to integrate perception and autonomy decisions into core vehicle software.

Drive high engineering standards through architectural leadership, comprehensive unit and regression testing, code reviews, technical documentation, and mentoring.

Expand perception capabilities across multiple robot platforms and operating conditions, including environments where sensor noise and physical conditions introduce new perception challenges.

What you'll need

Minimum of 8 years of related experience or equivalent work experience.

Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.

Strong software engineering proficiency in Modern C++ and Python, including experience with Linux, real-time or low-latency systems, and multithreaded programming.

Hands-on experience developing perception or autonomy software for physical robotic systems or autonomous vehicles, with strong knowledge of 3D point clouds, filtering, clustering, spatial calibration, and coordinate geometry.

Experience integrating, debugging, validating, and deploying production perception systems using ROS/ROS2 or comparable robotics middleware, with familiarity with PCL, OpenCV, Docker, and edge-compute environments.

Experience building automated data or machine learning pipelines, intelligent agents, robot learning systems, automated labeling workflows, or related autonomy capabilities.

Strong technical communication and architectural leadership skills, including the ability to independently drive design reviews, document technical decisions, collaborate across engineering disciplines, and mentor other engineers.

Our Environment

Up to 5%-10% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver's license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client locations and company HQ.

Employees may be required to use a personal credit card for business travel expenses, which are reimbursed based on the program guidelines. Eligible employees may receive a corporate credit card based on role and travel requirements, but a personal credit card may be needed during onboarding until the corporate card is issued.

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About Symbotic

Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-gen technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.

We are a community of innovators, collaborators and pioneers who embrace our differences, because we know unique perspectives make us stronger and smarter. Every perspective matters. We depend on the collective voices of our employees, customers and community to help guide us as we build a better place to work – for you and the world. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.

The base range for this position in the posted location is $149,000.00 - $223,000.00 however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, 401K, PTO and/or other benefits.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain real-time 3D LiDAR and point-cloud perception algorithms.
  • Own perception systems from sensor characterization and design through validation and fleet deployment.
  • Build automated workflows for data labeling, dataset curation, edge-case triage, and regression validation.
  • Develop autonomy, robot learning, recovery, and behavior-generation capabilities.
  • Integrate perception software with Controls, System Software, and System Test teams.
  • Set engineering standards through design reviews, testing, documentation, code reviews, and mentoring.

Qualifications

  • At least 8 years of related experience or equivalent work experience.
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Proficiency in modern C++ and Python, Linux, real-time or low-latency systems, and multithreaded programming.
  • Experience developing perception or autonomy software for robots or autonomous vehicles, including 3D point clouds, filtering, clustering, calibration, and coordinate geometry.
  • Experience deploying production perception systems using ROS/ROS2 or comparable middleware; familiarity with PCL, OpenCV, Docker, and edge-compute environments.
  • Experience with automated data or machine-learning pipelines, intelligent agents, robot learning, or automated labeling workflows.
  • Strong technical communication, architectural leadership, collaboration, and mentoring skills.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Disability coverage
  • 401(k)
  • Paid time off

Skills mentioned

C++PythonComputer VisionRoboticsLinuxMultithreadingDockerAutomationAI AgentsSoftware Testing

About Symbotic

Symbotic® (Nasdaq: $SYM) is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, A.I.-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-generation technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce, the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.

Automation Machinery Manufacturing1,001-5,000 employeesWilmington, MA

H-1B sponsorship history

Historical employer filing data was found for Symbotic. The employer record includes 222 historical certified applications. This is employer-level history, not a guarantee that this role currently offers sponsorship.