Robotics Software Engineer
Senior · Full Time
Opens Gecko Robotics's application page
Role
What you'll do.
Gecko Robotics seeks an experienced Robotics Software Engineer to architect and develop production-grade ROS2-based control, perception, and motion planning systems for 6-axis articulated manipulators embedded in active manufacturing environments. You will own the design and optimization of intelligent inspection workflows integrating Non-Destructive Testing methods, requiring 5+ years of production robotics development expertise with a deep understanding of industrial robot integration, motion planning frameworks, and perception systems. This role demands strong C++ and Python capabilities, ROS2 proficiency, and eligibility for US security clearance to support critical infrastructure and government projects.
Responsibilities
- ROS2 Control Framework Architecture: Architect, design, and continuously evolve Gecko's ROS2-based control framework and motion planning systems for articulated manipulators. This includes establishing software abstractions, communication protocols, and system patterns that enable brand-agnostic control across FANUC, Yaskawa, and ABB industrial robots while maintaining code quality and scalability for production environments.
- Perception-Driven Motion Planning Development: Develop sophisticated perception-driven motion planning capabilities that integrate visual and multi-sensor inputs to enable intelligent robotic decision-making. Implement computer vision pipelines, 3D sensor processing, and sensor fusion techniques that allow manipulators to dynamically adapt inspection trajectories based on real-time environmental and asset analysis.
- Closed-Loop Inspection Workflow Design: Design and implement end-to-end closed-loop inspection workflows that seamlessly connect inspection execution, data analysis, and rework decision-making. This involves creating state machines, feedback mechanisms, and orchestration logic that optimize the complete asset evaluation cycle while maintaining synchronization with manufacturing line operations.
- Inspection Throughput Optimization: Optimize robotic inspection throughput within active manufacturing environments by eliminating bottlenecks, improving path planning efficiency, and reducing cycle times. Profile system performance, identify optimization opportunities across the software stack, and implement algorithmic and architectural improvements that maximize inspection coverage without disrupting production workflows.
- System-Level Integration and Hardware Boundaries: Own comprehensive system-level integration between the robot control stack, industrial hardware platforms (manipulators, industrial sensors, NDT payloads), and Gecko's inspection data platform. Work across software-hardware boundaries to ensure seamless communication, proper constraint handling, and reliable operation in harsh industrial settings with multiple legacy systems.
- Production Deployment and Validation: Support deployment, commissioning, and validation of robotic systems in real production environments. Conduct field testing, troubleshoot integration issues, develop diagnostic tools, and work with customers to ensure systems meet performance specifications, safety requirements, and operational constraints in active manufacturing facilities.
Qualifications
What we look for.
Technical
ROS2 Production Systems
Deep expertise with ROS2-based robotic systems in production environments, including node architecture, communication patterns (DDS), real-time performance considerations, and industrial deployment best practices.
Motion Planning Frameworks
Strong hands-on experience with motion planning frameworks, particularly MoveIt2, including trajectory planning, collision avoidance, constraint handling, and optimization techniques for 6-axis articulated manipulators.
Perception System Integration
Demonstrated ability to integrate and calibrate perception systems (2D/3D cameras, LiDAR, industrial vision sensors) into robotic workflows, including camera-robot extrinsic calibration and real-time sensor data processing pipelines.
Industrial Robot Programming
Hands-on experience programming and controlling industrial 6-axis manipulators (FANUC, ABB, or Yaskawa), including proprietary robot control environments, teach pendants, and understanding of robot kinematics and dynamics.
C++ and Python Development
Production-grade proficiency in C++ for performance-critical real-time systems and Python for rapid prototyping, system integration, and scripting. Experience with memory management, concurrency patterns, and debugging complex systems.
Industrial Communication Protocols
Familiarity with industrial communication standards (EtherCAT, Profibus, Modbus, OPC-UA) and PLC integration patterns for coordinating robotic systems with factory automation infrastructure and control systems.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or Related Field
Undergraduate degree in robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or closely related discipline. Equivalent practical experience in robotics software development may substitute for formal education.
Experience
5+ Years Production Robotics Development
Minimum five years of professional experience developing and deploying production-grade robotics software systems, with demonstrated track record of shipped systems operating in real-world industrial or demanding environments.
Real-World System Integration
Substantial experience integrating robotic systems with heterogeneous hardware platforms, legacy industrial equipment, and multiple sensor modalities in field conditions, including troubleshooting and resolving cross-boundary integration issues.
Manufacturing or Industrial Automation Domain
Background in manufacturing, industrial automation, or infrastructure monitoring domains that provides understanding of operational constraints, safety requirements, regulatory compliance, and real-world deployment challenges.
Skills
Required
ROS2 Framework
Production expertise with Robot Operating System 2 (ROS2) architecture, including node development, service/action patterns, and deployment in real-time industrial environments.
C++
Strong C++ programming for high-performance real-time systems, including modern C++ standards (C++14+), memory management, multithreading, and debugging complex systems.
Python
Proficient Python development for system integration, scripting, prototyping, and automation tasks within robotics workflows.
Motion Planning (MoveIt2)
Hands-on experience with MoveIt2 motion planning framework including trajectory planning configuration, constraint specification, and integration with ROS2-based systems.
Computer Vision for Robotics
Applied experience integrating computer vision systems, 3D perception sensors, and visual servoing techniques into robotic manipulation tasks.
Industrial Robot Control
Practical experience with industrial 6-axis robot programming, control interfaces, and real-time command execution on major platforms.
Software-Hardware Integration
Demonstrated ability to work across software and hardware abstraction layers in industrial environments, coordinating with mechanical systems, sensors, and control hardware.
Preferred
FANUC, ABB, or Yaskawa Programming
Nice to haveSpecific hands-on experience programming collaborative or industrial robots from major manufacturers, including proprietary programming environments and teach methods.
PLC and Industrial Communication
Nice to haveFamiliarity with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, Profibus, Modbus, OPC-UA) for factory automation integration.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Domain
Nice to haveBackground or familiarity with Non-Destructive Testing methods and their integration into automated inspection workflows for quality assurance and asset health monitoring.
Trajectory Optimization
Nice to haveExperience optimizing robot trajectories for throughput, energy efficiency, or other performance metrics in manufacturing or inspection scenarios.
System Simulation and Modeling
Nice to haveProficiency with robotics simulation tools (RoboDK, Roboguide, RobotStudio) for design validation and offline programming of complex manipulation tasks.
Tech stack
Languages
Frameworks
Tools
Other
Compensation
Pay and benefits.
Base·USD 140,000 – 180,000
Equity·Stock options
Benefits
Equity Ownership
Company equity grants enabling you to participate in Gecko's long-term value creation as the company scales its impact in critical infrastructure protection.
401(k) Matching
Employer matching contributions to retirement accounts, supporting long-term financial planning and wealth accumulation.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage ensuring complete healthcare protection for you and your family.
Mental Health Support
Dedicated mental health resources and support programs recognizing the importance of psychological wellbeing and work-life balance.
Gender-Neutral Parental Leave
Inclusive parental leave policies supporting all family structures and enabling meaningful time with newborns or newly adopted children.
Family Planning Assistance
Support and resources for family planning decisions, including fertility treatment assistance and adoption support programs.
Flexible Paid Time Off
Flexible PTO policy enabling you to balance work and personal needs with trust-based time management rather than rigid accrual limits.
Professional Development
Ongoing training, conference attendance, and skill development opportunities supporting continuous growth in robotics, software engineering, and leadership.
Office-First Culture with Flexibility
Collaborative office-first culture in Pittsburgh enabling in-person collaboration on complex robotics challenges, with flexibility for occasional remote work based on individual needs.
Mission-Driven Work
Opportunity to work on critical infrastructure protection and modernization projects with direct impact on safety, environmental protection, and societal resilience.
Process
Interview steps.
- 01
Initial Screening
Recruiter phone screen to discuss your robotics background, ROS2 and motion planning experience, and alignment with the role's technical requirements and project scope.
- 02
Technical Deep Dive
Interview with senior robotics engineers covering ROS2 architecture decisions, motion planning algorithm tradeoffs, perception system integration challenges, and real-world production deployment considerations.
- 03
System Design Discussion
Architecture-focused conversation on designing control systems for heterogeneous robot platforms, handling cross-boundary software-hardware integration, and optimizing for production manufacturing environments.
- 04
Industrial Domain Knowledge
Discussion of industrial automation experience, familiarity with specific robot platforms (FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa), and understanding of manufacturing constraints and safety requirements.
- 05
Leadership and Collaboration
Conversation with team leads and hiring manager regarding collaboration style, communication across technical disciplines, project ownership, and growth aspirations in robotics engineering.
Full posting
Original listing.
What We Do
Gecko Robotics is helping the world’s most important organizations ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of critical infrastructure. Gecko's complete and connected solutions combine wall-climbing robots, industry-leading sensors, and an AI-powered data platform to provide customers with a unique window into the current and future health of their physical assets. This enables real-time decision making to increase the efficiency and safety of operations, promote mission readiness, and protect the environment and civilization from the effects of infrastructure failure.
Role at a Glance
Gecko Robotics is building production-grade robotic manipulation systems that embed intelligent inspection directly into active manufacturing environments. In this role, you will architect and develop ROS2-based control, perception, and motion planning systems for 6-axis articulated manipulators operating in real-world industrial settings. These robotic systems integrate a wide range of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods and sensing and optimize inspection throughput, improve product quality, and enable better downstream manufacturing decisions.
Given the work you'll be doing on some of our impactful government projects, you must also be eligible for a US clearance.
What You Will Do
Architect and evolve Gecko’s ROS2-based control framework and planning systems for articulated manipulators
Develop perception-driven motion planning using visual and other sensor inputs
Design closed-loop inspect → analyze → rework workflows
Optimize robotic inspection throughput within active manufacturing lines
Own system-level integration between robot control stack, industrial hardware and Gecko’s inspection software
Support system deployment and validation in production environments
Technologies We Use
Our robotic systems are currently built on a ROS2 framework and integrate motion planning from MoveIt for brand agnostic control of 6-axis articulated manipulators.
Core stack: ROS2, Python, C++
Planning & simulation: MoveIt, RoboDK, Roboguide, RobotStudio
Hardware platforms: Fanuc CRX, Yaskawa, ABB industrial manipulators
Both off the shelf sensors and custom designed sensing payloads for NDT
Required Skills
5+ years experience developing production robotics software in C++ and/or Python
Strong experience with ROS2-based robotic systems
Experience with motion planning frameworks (MoveIt2)
Experience integrating perception systems (vision, 3D sensors) into robotic workflows
Ability to work across software and hardware boundaries in industrial environments
Preferred
Experience programming industrial 6-axis articulated robots (FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa)
Familiarity with PLCs and industrial communication protocols
Who We Are
At Gecko, our people are our greatest investment. In addition to competitive compensation packages, we offer company equity, 401(k) matching, gender-neutral parental leave, full medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health, ongoing professional development, family planning assistance, and flexible paid time off.
Gecko values collaboration, innovation, and partnership, and we believe we do our best work when we're together in person. We’re an office-first culture but understand that sometimes you may need to work from home. Many people are in the office five days a week, others need a bit more flexibility. Ultimately, we care about the outcomes we achieve - and creating a culture of autonomy and trust that enables that impact.
Gecko is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe it is our collective responsibility to uphold these values and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to protect today’s infrastructure and give form to tomorrow’s. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. If you are passionate about what you do and want to use your talents to support our critical mission, we’d love to hear from you.
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