Senior Robotics Software Engineer at Spacer Robotics at Cox Exponential (San Francisco, CA)
Cox Exponential· San Francisco, CA·
Role details
Job description
About the Company
Spacer Robotics is building autonomous, non-humanoid robotic systems to construct infrastructure in extreme environments—from lunar bases to next-gen terrestrial job sites. Our vision is to disrupt the $16 trillion global construction industry by pioneering a new Deep Tech philosophy that blends robotics, AI, and systems engineering at the frontier.
About the Role
We're seeking a Senior Robotics Software Engineer to join the core team building Spacer's production-level robot. This is a highly hands-on, multidisciplinary role spanning the full autonomy stack—from raw sensor data through perception, localization, planning, and control. You'll be a technical self-starter who thrives with broad ownership, can make sound architectural decisions independently, and is energized by building real systems on physical hardware in unstructured environments. As an early hire, you'll shape our engineering culture and leave a lasting mark on how our robots think, see, and move.
Responsibilities
As a Senior Robotics Engineer, you will be expected to be versatile, making key contributions to a range of components in the Spacer software stack, including:
- Robotics Software Stack: Develop and maintain our ROS-based control systems for real-time robotic motion and coordination for our rebar-tying robot GRID
- Embedded Systems: Strong skills in C++ for embedded platforms, optimizing for reliability and low-latency
- Sensor Integration: Interface with cameras, lidar, IMUs, and encoders to build robust perception and feedback loops
- Hardware-Software Integration: Work closely with hardware engineers to debug, calibrate, and optimize the full system, including the construction tasks specific mechanisms
- Motion Planning & Control: Implement kinematics, trajectory planning, and control algorithms for smooth, natural movement
- Production-Ready Systems: Build the monitoring, diagnostics, and update infrastructure needed for manufacturing a high-volume product that is aimed at navigating the construction environment & outdoors temperatures and weather conditions.
Required:
- 4+ years of professional software engineering experience
- Strong C++ skills—you're comfortable with performance optimization, memory management, and debugging complex systems
- Python proficiency for scripting, testing, and rapid prototyping
- Experience with sensors, cameras, motors, or embedded systems in a professional context
- Excellent debugging skills—you know how to track down issues across hardware, firmware, and software
- High energy and enthusiasm for building physical products
- Based in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area. Our team works in-person which is essential for hardware development
Preferred:
- ROS/ROS2 experience
- Shipped a robotics product or worked on production robotic systems or similar (cars, automation of equipment, other robotics applications, etc)
- Embedded development experience
- Computer vision, sensor fusion, or perception experience
- Background in controls, kinematics, or motion planning
- Experience working in high pace, early stage startups
Why work at Cox Exponential
- Culture: Early-stage, high-autonomy environment within a stable corporate parent. Employees work on cutting-edge AI challenges across multiple portfolio companies.
- Remote/Hybrid: Fully remote workspaces for many roles; some positions require in-office presence in San Francisco (e.g., robotics roles). The company has 8 locations but emphasizes remote flexibility.
- Notable Perks: Opportunity to work on diverse AI/ML projects (LLMs, robotics, efficient ML systems), exposure to multiple startups, and a flat hierarchy with direct access to experienced partners.
- Engineering Culture: Strong emphasis on technical excellence, with open roles for Founding Engineer (AI Infra), Research Scientist (Efficient ML), Robotics Software Engineer, and Systems Engineer.