What are the responsibilities and job description for the Robotics Software Engineer position at Pittsburgh Robotics Network?
About FuturHand Robotics
FuturHand Robotics is a Carnegie Mellon University spin-off developing next-generation dexterous robotic systems that transform how robots interact with the world. We build on cutting-edge research in dexterous hands and manipulation to solve real-world problems, developing dexterous bimanual robots that operate reliably outside controlled lab environments.
The Role
This role focuses on designing and building the software systems that power our robots. You will take ownership of the overall software architecture, ensuring it is well-structured, reliable, and maintainable as the system evolves.
You'll work closely with a small team across controls, perception, and hardware to integrate diverse components into a coherent system. This includes defining how modules communicate, how system state is represented, and how the robot behaves under a wide range of operating conditions.
In some areas, you will design systems from scratch. In others, you will refine and extend existing components. A key part of the role is establishing clear structure and engineering discipline across the codebase ? making it easier to build on, debug, and operate over time.
What You'll Be Doing
The most important thing is that you understand how to build structured, maintainable robotics software systems. Not just code that works, but systems that are predictable, debuggable, and can evolve as the product grows.
Beyond That
Email us with your resume and a short note describing a robotics software system you've worked on. What did the architecture look like, and what would you do differently today?
apply@futurhandrobotics.com
FuturHand Robotics is a Carnegie Mellon University spin-off developing next-generation dexterous robotic systems that transform how robots interact with the world. We build on cutting-edge research in dexterous hands and manipulation to solve real-world problems, developing dexterous bimanual robots that operate reliably outside controlled lab environments.
The Role
This role focuses on designing and building the software systems that power our robots. You will take ownership of the overall software architecture, ensuring it is well-structured, reliable, and maintainable as the system evolves.
You'll work closely with a small team across controls, perception, and hardware to integrate diverse components into a coherent system. This includes defining how modules communicate, how system state is represented, and how the robot behaves under a wide range of operating conditions.
In some areas, you will design systems from scratch. In others, you will refine and extend existing components. A key part of the role is establishing clear structure and engineering discipline across the codebase ? making it easier to build on, debug, and operate over time.
What You'll Be Doing
- Design and implement a robust ROS 2 software architecture, including node structure, communication patterns, lifecycle management, and system-level organization
- Define and enforce engineering standards across the codebase: code quality, testing practices, CI, and documentation appropriate for a small, fast-moving team
- Build and maintain core system infrastructure: state management, logging, debugging tools, and operator-facing system visibility
- Work closely with controls, perception, and hardware teams to integrate their components into a cohesive and well-tested system
- Deploy and optimize software on embedded platforms (e.g., Jetson), including performance profiling, resource management, and latency considerations
- Contribute directly to the codebase with an emphasis on clarity, maintainability, and long-term serviceability
The most important thing is that you understand how to build structured, maintainable robotics software systems. Not just code that works, but systems that are predictable, debuggable, and can evolve as the product grows.
Beyond That
- 3?5 years of experience in robotics software development
- Strong ROS 2 experience ? you can design and structure full systems, not just individual nodes
- Proficiency in C and Python, with a strong focus on code quality and maintainability
- Experience with testing in robotics systems: unit, integration, and system-level validation
- Comfortable working across the stack, from high-level system design down to embedded deployment constraints
- Based in or willing to relocate to Pittsburgh, PA
- Experience deploying ROS 2 systems on Jetson or similar embedded platforms
- Familiarity with real-time constraints and deterministic system design
- Experience building CI/CD pipelines for robotics software
- Background in industrial or field robotics
- Ownership of the software architecture for a complex and deployable robotic system
- The opportunity to shape how the system is structured and evolves over time
- A small, highly technical team where your work directly impacts the product
- Meaningful early-stage equity, competitive salary, and benefits
Email us with your resume and a short note describing a robotics software system you've worked on. What did the architecture look like, and what would you do differently today?
apply@futurhandrobotics.com