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Base pay range
$160,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr
Autonomous Heavy Equipment Start-Up | Founding Robotics Engineer | San Francisco | On-Site | $160-200K
About the Company:
Our client is an early-stage, well-funded robotics start-up on a mission to revolutionise the heavy construction sector through autonomy. Founded by experienced entrepreneurs and backed by leading investors, they retrofit large-scale civil and industrial machinery with intelligent control systems to enable fully autonomous operation.
What They Build:
Their platform integrates advanced perception (LiDAR, stereo vision, RTK GNSS, IMU) with tele-operation capabilities and CAN network integration. They work closely with major industry partners to pilot their systems in real-world, high-impact environments. As their first engineering hire, you’ll see your work deployed to operational sites in months.
The Challenge:
You’ll tackle autonomy in unstructured outdoor environments: deformable terrain, variable traction, GNSS dropouts, multi-robot coordination, and the unpredictable conditions of active worksites. This is applied robotics at its most dynamic, with the opportunity to design and own systems end-to-end.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and extend robotics middleware components for low-latency tele-operation.
- Reverse-engineer undocumented CAN signals from heavy machinery.
- Contribute to both software and hardware system design.
- Participate in weekly field tests; iterate hardware and software rapidly based on results.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Strong C++ and Python programming skills; proven experience with robotics middleware (e.g., ROS 2 or similar).
- Hands-on experience integrating sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, IMU, and RTK GNSS.
Preferred Qualifications
- CAN bus protocol expertise and reverse-engineering experience.
- Background in electrical or mechanical engineering.
- Competitive salary in the $160-200K range (with scheduled review at 6 months or next funding).
- 2 – 3% equity in the company.
- Full health, dental, and vision coverage.
- $5K equipment and workstation budget.
- Relocation assistance and daily provided lunch.
Why Join Now:
- First hire : Help shape architecture, culture, and core technology from the ground up.
- High impact : Your work will define the reference stack for an emerging industry.
- Fast cycle time : Deploy updates to live hardware weekly, not quarterly.
Seniority level
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Job function
Engineering and Information TechnologyIndustries
Civil Engineering and Automation Machinery Manufacturing
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Medical insurance
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