Software Engineer – Task & Motion Planning

Pickle Robot Company

. Design, build, and maintain production C++ and Python components of the planning stack, including motion planning, grasp selection, collision checking, and task sequencing .

Posted 9/29/2026full-timeCharlestown • Massachusetts • United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $168,570 - $200,687 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and optimizing C++ and Python components for robotics applications, with a strong focus on motion planning, performance optimization, and debugging in production environments. Proficient in end-to-end software development processes, including design, implementation, testing, and deployment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

C++17 Or LaterPython ProgrammingMotion PlanningPerformance OptimizationDebugging And Triage

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software DesignData StructuresAlgorithmsConcurrencyMemory ManagementProfiling ToolsTrajectory GenerationGrasp PlanningCUDA3D Geometry

Tools & Technologies

OMPLDrakeFCLPinocchioSimulation Environments

Industry Keywords

RoboticsProduction SoftwareSafety-Critical SystemsReal-Time Systems

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, build, and maintain production C++ and Python components of the planning stack, including motion planning, grasp selection, collision checking, and task sequencing
Take algorithms from prototype to deployment, owning architecture, performance, and robustness
Profile and optimize performance-critical code to meet real-time cycle-time targets on robot hardware
Build testing, simulation, and benchmarking infrastructure
Debug production failures using logs, build triage tooling, and fix root causes
Improve code quality through design reviews, code reviews, and good engineering practices
Design and build fast, reliable, well-tested planning systems for real robots
Contribute to task and motion planning that determines robot grasping and safe movement through changing trailers

Requirements

What you’ll need

2–4 years of experience writing and shipping production software, primarily in modern C++ (C++17 or later), with working proficiency in Python
Strong fundamentals in software design, data structures, algorithms, and performance optimization
Experience owning components end-to-end: design, implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing support
Solid understanding of concurrency, memory management, and profiling tools
A real interest in motion planning, manipulation, and grasping, and eagerness to go deep on the algorithms alongside domain experts
Comfort working close to hardware and debugging problems that span software and the physical world
Hands-on experience with motion planning or manipulation (e.g., sampling-based or optimization-based planners, trajectory generation, grasp planning) (Nice to Have)
Experience with CUDA or GPU performance optimization (Nice to Have)
Familiarity with robotics libraries and frameworks such as OMPL, Drake, FCL, or Pinocchio (Nice to Have)
Background in 3D geometry, kinematics, or linear algebra (Eigen or similar) (Nice to Have)
Experience with simulation environments and large-scale regression testing for robotics or other safety-critical systems (Nice to Have)
Experience deploying software on physical robots in production environments (Nice to Have)

Benefits

Comp & perks

health, dental, and vision insurance
unlimited vacation
paid federal and state holidays
401(k) contributions of 5% of your salary
company-covered travel expenses
other perks to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive