---
title: 'Robotics Algorithm Engineer at HELLBENDER Inc.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/robotics-algorithm-engineer-hellbender-inc-pittsburgh-m4rtdnc04ymx'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# Robotics Algorithm Engineer at HELLBENDER Inc.

- **Company:** HELLBENDER Inc.
- **Location:** Pittsburgh, PA
- **Posted:** 2026-07-31
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hellbenderinc/jobs/5376809008

## Job description

## Who We Are

Hellbender Inc. is a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation who partners with innovators to mature their Artificial Intelligence enabled computing sensors and produce their solutions onshore at prototype to high volumes.

Hellbender is intentionally forming an inclusive work environment and is committed to uplifting the historically marginalized identities including veterans, women, trans and underrepresented races in our community and industry.

Must be a U.S. Person

Job Summary

We're looking for a Robotics Algorithm Engineer to design, implement, and optimize the algorithms that power our AI computer vision systems. You'll work at the intersection of software engineering and applied mathematics, translating theoretical models into robust, real-time solutions that run on physical hardware.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Design and implement algorithms for motion planning, trajectory optimization, and robotic control (e.g., D*, PRM, MPC, GCS, graph planners, sampling planners, trajectory optimization, learned neural planners, etc.)
- Develop perception pipelines including SLAM, sensor fusion, object detection, and localization using LiDAR, Event, frame, and stereo cameras, IMUs, RADARs, and other sensors (e.g. SLAM, SFM, EFK, UKF, graph solvers, OpenCV, etc.)
- Build and refine kinematic and dynamic models for robotic manipulators, mobile platforms, or multi-body systems
- Optimize deep learning and classical CV algorithms for real-time inference on embedded/edge hardware (e.g., GPUs, NPUs, FPGAs)
- Validate and refine algorithms through physical hardware in the loop testing before product deployment
- Profile and debug latency, throughput, and accuracy tradeoffs across the perception-to-control pipeline
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to integrate algorithms into full robotic systems
- Analyze test data to debug performance issues and improve system reliability and safety
- Document technical designs, experiments, and results for internal and external stakeholders

Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes

- Masters's degree or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience developing robotics algorithms in a research or production environment
- Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Python
- Solid foundation in linear algebra, probability/statistics, and control theory
- Experience with ROS/ROS2 or comparable robotics middleware
- Hands-on experience with at least one of: motion planning, SLAM, computer vision, or sensor fusion
- Experience testing and validating algorithms on physical robotic hardware

Due to the nature of Hellbender’s funding, this position requires US citizenship or Permanent Resident status.

## Compensation

Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.

## Benefits

- 401(k)
- 5% Safe Harbor Contribution to 401k by Hellbender
- 100% of Health, Dental, and Vision insurance premiums for employees and their families paid by Hellbender
- 7.5 weeks total Paid time off
- Profit Sharing (through 401k)
- Hybrid work environment & flexible work schedule

Work Location

Pittsburgh

Opportunity for Advancement

Hellbender is a growing business and follows a policy that prioritizes internal promotions. As new positions are created, new opportunities for advancement will be created as well.

## About HELLBENDER Inc.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Hellbender builds mission-critical hardware and software infrastructure for AI-driven perception systems used in autonomy, robotics, and industrial applications.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage – $12.5M seed round)
- **Headquarters**: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Henry Nazak, Roger Nasci, Christopher D’Eramo, Kevin Papa

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Industrial electronics manufacturing, computer vision, robotics, AI/ML at the edge, defense-adjacent hardware.
- **Target customers**: B2B – autonomy companies, robotics integrators, industrial manufacturers, defense contractors.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: A certified Benefit Corporation – “enable the physical AI that solves customer problems” while reinvigorating domestic manufacturing and operating sustainably (100% carbon neutral, zero-waste metals recycling, profits supporting watershed conservation and veterans).

## Products & Services
- **On-Edge Camera Line**: AI-powered, industrial-grade cameras for real-time perception and inspection, delivered as a hardware product.
- **Turn-Key Manufacturing**: Full-service prototype-to-production electronics manufacturing (SMT pick-and-place, robotic work cells, camera focus/sensor calibration) – all domestic, in-house.
- **Physical AI Engineering**: Custom hardware/software development for perception systems, from R&D (TRL 3) through fielded production.
- **Robotics & Computer Vision as a Service**: Engineering services for clients needing bespoke sensor integration, vision pipelines, and embedded ML.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: $12.5M seed round (closed ~mid-2026); Annual revenue not publicly available.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: BIRD Foundation (grant 2023); technology partners include Raspberry Pi, Nvidia, Hailo.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 15% YoY to 52 employees; doubled facility to 40,000 sq ft; launched on-edge camera line; pursuing AS9100D quality certification for defense work.

## Competitive Advantages
- **100% domestic manufacturing** – a rare moat in electronics, appealing to U.S. defense and industrial customers.
- **Sustainability-driven business model** – B Corp, carbon neutral, water-conservation profit sharing, zero-waste metals recycling.
- **Deep domain expertise** – team drawn from Carnegie Robotics, Argo AI, Aurora, Sarcos Robotics; proven ability to move from research to production.
- **Flexible partnership model** – offers both product and service engagements, bridging the “Valley of Death” for early-stage hardware.

## Strategic Focus
- **Accelerate domestic manufacturing of Physical AI** – scaling the Pittsburgh facility and production capacity.
- **Commercialize the on-edge camera line** – target markets include assembly inspection, navigation testing, and inline quality control.
- **Achieve FAR/AS9100D compliance** – enabling direct sales to defense and aerospace primes.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Benefit Corp committed to inclusivity – BIPOC, veterans, women, LGBTQIA+; 25% of staff are veterans.
- **Work model**: Hybrid (flex time, no company meetings on Fridays); remote options available for eligible roles.
- **Total PTO**: 7.5 weeks including 4 weeks of holidays (Independence Day & Xmas shutdown), 3.5 weeks accrued PTO, 4 weeks parental leave.
- **Compensation & equity**: Automatic 5% 401k contribution (no match needed); 10% of company equity in employee incentive program; annual profit sharing into 401ks; stock options for new client capture.
- **Health**: 100% of gold-tier medical, dental, vision for employee and family (domestic partners included); life & disability insurance.
- **Perks**: PPE reimbursement, access to fabrication equipment, Hertz Gold, TSA PreCheck, NASA Federal Credit Union membership.
- **Current openings** (as of mid-2026): Embedded Software Engineer, Perception Engineer.

## Sources
1. [hellbender.com](https://hellbender.com/) – Company overview, products, news of $12.5M seed round
2. [hellbender.com/about-us](https://hellbender.com/about-us/) – B Corp, sustainability, domestic manufacturing
3. [hellbender.com/careers](https://hellbender.com/careers/) – Benefits, remote/hybrid policy, culture
4. [LinkedIn – Hellbender Inc.](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hellbender-inc) – Headcount growth, funding history, executive team, talent sources
5. [Greenhouse – Hellbender Jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hellbenderinc) – Current job listings (2 engineering roles)

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