Open Navigation LLC
Robotics Engineer - Nav2 & Mobility
Open Navigation LLC, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Open Navigation is the host organization of the ROS 2 Navigation framework, Nav2. Founded and led by Nav2's primary maintainer and lead developer, we provide enterprise support services, partnerships, and sponsorship opportunities for companies leveraging Nav2 for their various products and services to accelerate the robotics industry.
Nav2 is the world's most deployed autonomous mobile robotics framework and solution, used by over 300 companies worldwide in production today. It powers everything from robots in the home, hotels, hospitals, agriculture, maritime, oil & gas, construction, logistics, and so much more.
Our services range from technical support, providing architectural review and educational resources, custom feature development, performance optimization, system integration, ROS 2 architecture, and sponsorship programs for our open-source solutions. We bridge the gap between cutting‑edge open‑source innovation and production‑ready commercial deployments, offering unparalleled expertise in path planning, sensor fusion, and real‑world autonomous systems.
Role Description This is a full‑time contract‑to‑hire role for a Robotics Engineer in the San Francisco, CA. Applicants should be prepared to be in‑office 3–4 days a week, but have the flexibility to work from home or elsewhere under circumstances of convenience (dentist or doctor appointment, sick, large delivery expected, transit issues, etc). This role would begin in late‑January or early‑February 2026, depending on candidate’s needs.
The Robotics Engineer will focus on designing, developing, and implementing navigation and mobility solutions for robotics systems in Nav2 or client systems. Day‑to‑day tasks include analyzing requirements, developing software algorithms, optimizing performance of robotic systems, debugging complex navigation issues, assisting in Nav2 maintenance, building physically accurate simulations, debugging hardware integration issues, and related tasks. This role will involve heavy contact with external partner organizations and contracting clients.
Qualifications
Excellent understanding of mobile robotics navigation technologies and fundamentals
Strong analytical skills & process‑oriented thinking to solve complex challenges in robotics and navigation
Experience in C++ software development with a focus on implementing navigation and mobility algorithms
Some experience with Python, Launch, CI/CD, Linux, Docker, and Git
Deep professional expertise in at least one area of mobility: planning, control, perception, environmental modeling, localization, AI, or autonomy
Highly independent, motivated learner, and able to apply modern research
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate with various stakeholders
Prior experience working with ROS (Robot Operating System) is required
Prior experience working with Nav2 and contributing to Nav2 is highly prioritized
Prior experience on robotics product(s) or service(s) based on ROS 2 is preferred
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Open Navigation is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Contract
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Open Navigation LLC by 2x.
Get notified about new Robotics Engineer jobs in
San Francisco, CA .
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Nav2 is the world's most deployed autonomous mobile robotics framework and solution, used by over 300 companies worldwide in production today. It powers everything from robots in the home, hotels, hospitals, agriculture, maritime, oil & gas, construction, logistics, and so much more.
Our services range from technical support, providing architectural review and educational resources, custom feature development, performance optimization, system integration, ROS 2 architecture, and sponsorship programs for our open-source solutions. We bridge the gap between cutting‑edge open‑source innovation and production‑ready commercial deployments, offering unparalleled expertise in path planning, sensor fusion, and real‑world autonomous systems.
Role Description This is a full‑time contract‑to‑hire role for a Robotics Engineer in the San Francisco, CA. Applicants should be prepared to be in‑office 3–4 days a week, but have the flexibility to work from home or elsewhere under circumstances of convenience (dentist or doctor appointment, sick, large delivery expected, transit issues, etc). This role would begin in late‑January or early‑February 2026, depending on candidate’s needs.
The Robotics Engineer will focus on designing, developing, and implementing navigation and mobility solutions for robotics systems in Nav2 or client systems. Day‑to‑day tasks include analyzing requirements, developing software algorithms, optimizing performance of robotic systems, debugging complex navigation issues, assisting in Nav2 maintenance, building physically accurate simulations, debugging hardware integration issues, and related tasks. This role will involve heavy contact with external partner organizations and contracting clients.
Qualifications
Excellent understanding of mobile robotics navigation technologies and fundamentals
Strong analytical skills & process‑oriented thinking to solve complex challenges in robotics and navigation
Experience in C++ software development with a focus on implementing navigation and mobility algorithms
Some experience with Python, Launch, CI/CD, Linux, Docker, and Git
Deep professional expertise in at least one area of mobility: planning, control, perception, environmental modeling, localization, AI, or autonomy
Highly independent, motivated learner, and able to apply modern research
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate with various stakeholders
Prior experience working with ROS (Robot Operating System) is required
Prior experience working with Nav2 and contributing to Nav2 is highly prioritized
Prior experience on robotics product(s) or service(s) based on ROS 2 is preferred
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Open Navigation is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Contract
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Open Navigation LLC by 2x.
Get notified about new Robotics Engineer jobs in
San Francisco, CA .
#J-18808-Ljbffr