Senior Robot Software Engineer

Job Title: Senior Robot Software Engineer

Company Overview

Familiar Machines & Magic is a well-funded embodied AI and robotics startup based outside of Boston. Our founding team is Colin Angle (founder and former CEO of iRobot), Ira Renfrew (former CPO of Outrider), and Chris Jones (former CTO of iRobot). We are pioneering an exciting new category of home robot in the health and wellness space. Embodied and agentic AI are central enablers to our product vision.

Role Description:

We’re seeking a Senior Robot Software Engineer. In this role, you’ll work directly with our Robot Software team to build the core middleware, motion control, and perception systems for consumer robot product. Responsibilities may include developing real-time behavior modules, integrating multi-sensor inputs, and implementing robust active sensing with contextual awareness. You will deliver modular, well-documented components optimized for Jetson-class hardware, along with testing tools and iterative performance improvements to ensure reliable operation in dynamic indoor environments.

The right candidate is passionate about innovation, execution, and a culture-forward workplaces, and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and optimize a robust neural behavioral system to enable real-time, context-aware decision making
• Collaborate closely with Reinforcement Learning (RL) engineers and integrate RL models with the behavior system
• Collaborate closely with the firmware engineering team to ensure seamless integration between motor and sensor firmware and the middleware stack
• Design and optimize motion planning systems, including path finding, trajectory generation, and obstacle avoidance
• Collaborate cross-functionally with robotics engineers, designers, and user researchers to ensure systems align with emotional and experiential goals
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in robotics or a related field, or a Master’s degree with at least four years of relevant industry experience
• Strong proficiency in programming languages, preferably C and Python
• Expertise in dynamics and kinematics for robotic systems
• Experience developing and deploying object detection and segmentation models
• Experience with motion planning algorithms for real-time navigation in dynamic environments

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Comfortable designing complex, interdependent software systems that operate in real-world conditions
• Collaborative spirit and ability to thrive in a cross-functional team environment
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions and insights to both technical and non-technical teammates
• Strong analytical skills and a rigorous approach to testing, evaluation, and iteration
• Capable of identifying edge cases and debugging hard-to-reproduce issues
• Driven by the opportunity to explore the intersection of technology, design, and emotional connection

Join Us:

If you’re passionate about creating innovative cutting-edge robotic systems for consumer products, and excited to join a fast-moving hardware team where you’ll see your designs directly applied to our robots we’d love to hear from you. Be part of a team pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, building a first-of-its-kind consumer robotics product with direct real-world impact.

Please Note: We have often hired those that do not meet the exact requirements but that we found to be a great culture fit and have the relevant experience to be successful in the role. Please consider applying if this is you.

Familiar Machines & Magic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.