Senior Robotics SDE, Safe Autonomy

Salary: $168,100 - 227,400 per year
Requirements:
We require 5+ years of non-internship professional software development experience. We require 5+ years of programming experience in at least one software language. We require 5+ years of experience leading design or architecture for new and existing systems, including design patterns, reliability, and scaling. We require experience as a mentor, technical lead, or engineering team leader. We require proficiency in C++, Rust, and/or Python, with production-quality coding experience for real-time systems. We require experience developing software for robotics, embedded platforms, or safety-critical applications. We require familiarity with robotics middleware such as ROS or ROS2, plus real-time communication frameworks. We require experience designing software abstractions, APIs, or hardware abstraction layers for multi-platform deployment. We require strong software engineering fundamentals, including version control, CI/CD, code review, and testing. We prefer 5+ years of full software development lifecycle experience, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations. We prefer a Masters or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Controls, or a related discipline. We prefer experience integrating software with motion planners, perception pipelines, or control systems on physical robots. We prefer familiarity with control barrier functions, safety-critical control, or formal safety verification methods. We prefer experience with real-time operating systems or safety-rated firmware interfaces such as IEC 61508 or ISO 13849. We prefer hands-on experience with multiple robot types, including mobile bases, arms, and legged platforms. We prefer experience with reinforcement learning or foundation model deployment on robotic systems. We prefer a track record of building software that scales from prototype to fleet-level production. We prefer familiarity with robotics simulation environments. We prefer strong communication skills and experience working in cross-functional, research-adjacent teams.
Responsibilities:
We own the integration of our Compass software across multiple robot platforms, including mobile robots, mobile manipulators, and legged robots. We design, implement, and maintain the integration layer that lets our safety modules connect with diverse robot hardware and software stacks. We build robust abstractions and APIs that separate safety logic from platform-specific hardware, enabling fast rollout to new robot form factors. We collaborate with motion planning, perception, and controls teams to maintain smooth data exchange and real-time performance between safety and autonomy systems. We develop and support interfaces to safety-rated firmware and hardware while meeting functional safety expectations. We architect scalable, production-grade software that can reliably operate across millions of deployed robots. We write high-quality, tested, maintainable code in C++ and/or Python for real-time robotics use cases. We define integration test strategies and create simulation-based validation pipelines to confirm safety behavior across platforms. We contribute to system design reviews, technical documentation, and cross-team agreement on interface contracts. We identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in real-time, safety-critical code paths. We mentor junior engineers and help elevate our software engineering standards.
Technologies:
Architect CI/CD Embedded Firmware Hardware Support Mobile Python ROS Robotics Rust C++ Flow
More:
We are Amazons Compass robotics team, working on a novel universal approach to safe autonomy that scales across mobile robots, manipulators, mobile manipulators, and future dynamically stable platforms. Our team includes the inventors of control barrier functions, and we are pushing the boundaries of safe performance by integrating safety with motion planning, reinforcement learning, and foundation models so safety never limits robot capability. The role is based in Pasadena, California, with a listed annual base salary range of USD 168,100 to 227,400. We offer comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, parental leave, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with matching, and additional health and wellbeing support. We also provide sign-on payments and restricted stock units, and we support an inclusive culture with accommodations available during the hiring process.
last updated 29 week of 2026