Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Manipulation

About Our Team

Chef Robotics is on a mission to accelerate the advent of intelligent machines in the physical world. As the rise of LLMs like ChatGPT has shown, AI has the potential to drive immense change. However, we believe AI’s biggest impact will be in the physical world, given industries like manufacturing, food, and transportation represent 90% of global GDP. We’re starting with food, with a goal to put an intelligent robot in every commercial kitchen in the world. We have signed multiple multi-year contracts with various large food companies and we are growing fast. We’re backed by investors like Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg BETA and Promus Ventures. We have a great team, where you will be surrounded by talented engineers and tech leaders from companies like Cruise, Zoox, Google, Verb Surgical, Tesla, Nuro, Vicarious, Amazon Robotics, Strateos, Built Robotics, Facebook, Plenty, Yelp, and Microsoft.

About the Role

As a Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Manipulation at Chef Robotics, you’ll lead the development of advanced manipulation systems that enable our robots to handle thousands of different food ingredients with precision and adaptability. You’ll be responsible for designing and implementing sophisticated algorithms that can intelligently adapt to varying physical properties of ingredients, from sticky sauces to delicate garnishes, ensuring consistent performance across millions of meals in high-throughput commercial environments. This role requires deep expertise in manipulation algorithms, sensor integration, and real-time adaptation systems.

As a small team, we are focused on building a positive in‑office culture. We are looking for individuals who are available to work onsite at the office five days a week and can work start‑up‑oriented hours.

Advanced Manipulation Algorithm Development

• Lead the development of classical and ML / RL‑based motion planning and manipulation algorithms that work reliably across thousands of different foods with varying physical properties (stickiness, density, viscosity, texture)
• Design and implement novel algorithms to learn ingredient properties on-the-fly and intelligently adapt manipulation parameters in real-time
• Develop robust manipulation strategies that can handle edge cases and unexpected ingredient behaviors

Sensor Integration & Feedback Systems

Performance Optimization & Analysis

System Architecture & Integration

Required Qualifications - Technical Expertise

Domain Knowledge

Personal Attributes

Desired Qualifications

Key Projects You Will Lead

$150,000 - $260,000 a year

Chef is an early‑stage startup where equity is a major part of the compensation package. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

In addition to salary and early‑stage equity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, commuter benefits, flexible paid time off (PTO), catered lunch, and 401(k) matching.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizen status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, age, pregnancy status, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other protected status.

Multiple studies have found that a higher percentage of women and BIPOC candidates won’t apply if they don’t meet every listed qualification. Chef values candidates of all backgrounds. If you find yourself excited by our mission but you don’t check every box in the description, we encourage you to apply anyway!

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