---
title: 'Senior Robotics Engineer at Lightspeed'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-robotics-engineer-lightspeed-northbrook-4zwg9dftn47c'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-03'
---

# Senior Robotics Engineer at Lightspeed

- **Company:** Lightspeed
- **Location:** Northbrook, IL
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-05-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-03
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/lightspeed/df28ffc8-733c-46d5-8853-5985d3b21a44

## Job description

## ABOUT LIGHTSPEED

LightSpeed Build Technologies is revolutionizing the construction industry through AI-powered robotics. Our flagship systems—BRUTE for automated wall panel manufacturing and DEX for on-site collaborative construction—are addressing the global housing crisis by delivering unprecedented speed, precision, and affordability in homebuilding.

## POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Senior Robotics Engineer, you will design, develop, and deploy the core robotic control systems powering LightSpeed’s construction automation platforms. You will work hands-on with industrial robots, developing motion planning algorithms, real-time control software, and sensor integration systems that enable our BRUTE and DEX platforms to achieve sub-millimeter precision in demanding construction environments. This role demands deep robotics expertise, strong software skills, and the ability to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world deployment.

What you'll work on:

Robotics Software Development

- Develop and optimize ROS2-based control architectures for multi-robot coordination in manufacturing cells
- Implement motion planning and trajectory optimization using MoveIt2 and custom planners for complex assembly tasks
- Design real-time pose synchronization systems for coordinated multi-robot operations
- Build and maintain robot driver interfaces for Hyundai industrial robots and collaborative robot arms
- Develop collision avoidance and safety monitoring systems for human-robot collaborative environments

Simulation & Validation

- Build high-fidelity simulation environments using MuJoCo, IsaacSIM, and Gazebo for system validation before deployment
- Develop digital twin frameworks linking physical robot cells to simulation models for predictive analysis
- Create automated testing pipelines for robotics software using hardware-in-the-loop simulation
- Validate control algorithms in simulation before deploying to production robot cells

Sensor Integration & Perception

- Integrate and calibrate sensor systems including LIDAR, depth cameras, force/torque sensors, and encoders
- Develop sensor fusion algorithms for precise robot localization and workpiece tracking
- Implement real-time quality monitoring using sensor feedback during automated assembly operations
- Design calibration procedures and drift compensation for production environments

System Integration & Deployment

- Deploy robotic control systems to production cells and troubleshoot field issues
- Integrate robot control with LightSpeed Overwatch monitoring platform via Python/FastAPI
- Optimize robot cycle times, path planning, and operational efficiency in production
- Support scaling from current cell deployments to multi-site operations

## REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Core Robotics Expertise

- 5+ years of hands-on robotics engineering with industrial or collaborative robot systems
- Deep proficiency in ROS2 architecture, node lifecycle management, and real-time communication patterns
- Hands-on experience with MoveIt2 or MoveIt Pro for motion planning and manipulation
- Strong understanding of robot kinematics, dynamics, and control theory
- Experience with physics-based robotics simulators: MuJoCo, IsaacSIM, or Gazebo

Software Development

- Strong programming in Python and C++ for real-time robotics applications
- Experience with real-time operating systems and deterministic control loops
- Proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development workflows
- Understanding of industrial networking protocols (EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP)

## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- MS or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Experience with industrial platforms: Hyundai, FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Universal Robots
- Background in construction technology, automated manufacturing, or prefabrication
- Experience with real-time Linux (PREEMPT_RT) and low-latency control systems
- Contributions to open-source robotics projects (ROS2, MoveIt, or related)
- Published research or patents in robotics, motion planning, or control systems

## WHY JOIN LIGHTSPEED:

- Solve hard robotics problems: multi-robot coordination, sub-millimeter precision, real-world deployment at scale
- Direct impact: your control systems power robots that build homes and address the housing crisis
- Cutting-edge stack: ROS2, MuJoCo, IsaacSIM, MoveIt2, and custom industrial automation
- Hands-on culture: work directly with physical robots in our manufacturing facility
- Competitive compensation including salary, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits

## EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP

This position is at-will, meaning either you or the Company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.

## EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

LightSpeed Build Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences.

## About Lightspeed

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Lightspeed uses robotics and AI to manufacture precision-engineered panels and components for residential construction, aiming to build homes faster, smarter, and more affordably.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Startup)
- **Headquarters**: Northbrook, Illinois, United States
- **Founded**: Not publicly available (likely 2023-2024 based on current operations)
- **Founders**: Biju Kulathakal (serial entrepreneur behind Redbox and Halo Investing)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Construction Technology (Contech), Robotics, AI-Powered Manufacturing
- **Target customers**: Homebuilders, real estate developers, construction firms (B2B)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Housing for All" — building homes smarter, faster, and more affordable with robotics and AI.

## Products & Services
- **BRUTE Robotic System**: A robotic system designed for heavy-duty construction tasks, targeting a 50% reduction in build time versus traditional methods.
- **DEX Robotic System**: A precision robotic system for detailed assembly and finishing work.
- **AI-Powered Design & Engineering**: Proprietary AI algorithms that analyze architectural drawings to automatically generate optimized construction sequences, material lists, and robotic instructions.
- **Precision-Engineered Panels**: Prefabricated wall and floor panels manufactured to tight tolerances, enabling faster on-site assembly and reduced errors.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Not publicly available (likely pre-revenue or early-stage; funding status unknown)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Founder Biju Kulathakal previously founded Redbox and Halo Investing, suggesting strong investor connections, but no specific investors are named for Lightspeed.
- **Growth Signals**: The company is actively hiring (careers page on Ashby), signaling growth. They claim to target 70% reduction in construction errors, 20-30% labor cost savings, and 25% reduction in material waste.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Robotic Precision**: Claims tolerances "impossible with manual framing" — a significant differentiator in an industry where quality varies widely.
- **Founder Credibility**: Biju Kulathakal has a proven track record building Redbox (a massive kiosk network) and Halo Investing (a fintech platform), suggesting ability to scale.
- **Integrated AI-to-Robotics Pipeline**: Full vertical integration from architectural drawing analysis to robotic manufacturing, reducing human error and rework.
- **Sustainability Angle**: Precision manufacturing reduces construction waste by ~25%, aligning with ESG trends in real estate.

## Strategic Focus
- **Offsite Construction**: The company is riding the McKinsey-predicted trend that 20% of homes will be built offsite in the US by 2030.
- **Speed & Labor Reduction**: Core value prop is cutting build time in half and reducing labor dependency — critical as construction labor shortages worsen.
- **Scaling Manufacturing**: Likely focused on expanding production capacity at their Northbrook facility and proving the technology with initial clients.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: "Housing for All" offers a tangible social impact — helping solve the housing affordability crisis through technology.
- **Founder Led**: Working directly with a serial entrepreneur who has scaled companies to national prominence.
- **Cutting-Edge Tech**: Hands-on work with robotics, computer vision, AI, and advanced manufacturing — appealing for engineers and operators.
- **Early-Stage Impact**: As a likely early-stage company, employees can wear multiple hats and shape the product and culture from the ground up.
- **Location**: Northbrook, IL (northern suburb of Chicago) offers a suburban office environment with access to Chicago's talent pool.
- **Work Policy**: Not explicitly stated, but the nature of robotics manufacturing suggests a strong on-site presence for hardware roles.

**Note**: There is a separate, publicly traded company called Lightspeed Commerce (NYSE: LSPD, TSX: LSPD) that provides POS and e-commerce software. This profile is for Lightspeed (lightspeed.build), the robotics construction startup. Do not confuse the two.

## Sources
1. [lightspeed.build](https://lightspeed.build/)
2. [lightspeed.build/about-us](https://lightspeed.build/about-us)
3. [lightspeed.build/contact-us](https://lightspeed.build/contact-us)
4. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/lightspeed](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/lightspeed)

## Other roles at Lightspeed

- [VP Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/vp-engineering-lightspeed-northbrook-asdjbkqf4h5g) — Northbrook, IL
- [AI & Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-machine-learning-engineer-lightspeed-northbrook-1y6qs3f9075m) — Northbrook, IL
- [Robotics Integration/Controls Engineer (Full-Stack Capable)](https://feeny.ai/job/robotics-integration-controls-engineer-full-stack-capable-lightspeed-northbrook-9pkdhtn08thn) — Northbrook, IL
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