Senior Robotics Controls Engineer in San Francisco

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Job DescriptionJob Description

Senior Robotics Controls Engineer

Location: South San Francisco, CA (On-site)

Salary: $150,000 – $250,000

About the Role

My client is seeking a Senior Robotics Controls Engineer to join a small, high-performing team developing autonomous surgical robotics systems. This is a hands-on role focused on designing the logic and algorithms that control robotic platforms in real surgical environments. Candidates must bring strong robotics fundamentals, advanced coding skills, and a startup mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and implement low-latency, high-accuracy control systems for robotic platforms
• Develop motion planning algorithms tailored to surgical workflows
• Collaborate with perception, planning, and UI teams to integrate controls into a unified system
• Participate in onsite visits to observe surgical procedures and validate system performance
• Contribute to system-level design, testing, and optimization

Must-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong academic foundation
• Minimum 3 years of experience in robotics engineering or a closely related field
• Expertise in control systems and motion planning
• Advanced software development skills in C++ and Python
• Comfortable viewing live surgical procedures during onsite visits
• Willingness to travel to customer sites up to once per month

Strongly

• Master's degree in a relevant field
• Experience with autonomous vehicles
• Familiarity with surgical robotics systems
• Exposure to ROS and real-time systems

Tech Stack

• Employer Tech Stack: C++, Python, React, TypeScript
• Acceptable Backgrounds: C++, Python, Robotics, ROS

Important Screening Notes

• Candidates must confirm comfort with viewing live surgical procedures
• Candidates must confirm availability for occasional travel (up to once per month)
• Not open to OPT candidates
• This role is focused on algorithmic control—not manufacturing operations
• Candidates with only Matlab experience or manufacturing “controls” backgrounds are not a match

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site role based in South San Francisco. The team operates with a startup mindset—fast-paced, mission-driven, and collaborative. Candidates should be energized by the opportunity to define core robotics logic in a high-impact healthcare setting.

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