Develop software for interactive robots deployed in public environments. Responsibilities include turning prototypes into demos, ensuring reliability, and collaborating with a creative team.
Software Engineer – Bring Robots to Life for the Public
Imagine your code controlling robots that the public can interact with. From driving a Spot robot with a phone to having a robot draw your portrait, your work will make robotics tangible, fun, and memorable.
The External Engagement Programs (EEP) Team turns research demos into interactive, production-ready experiences. We deploy our demos for 10–12 weeks at a time in public spaces, museums, and events, and we need engineers who can deliver software that works flawlessly in the real world.
What You'll Do
- Turn internal prototypes into reliable, public-ready robot demos.
- Build new demos and prototypes that inspire and engage people.
- Ensure software runs without intervention for extended deployments.
- Collaborate with a creative team to design experiences that are both educational and fun.
- Maintain high-quality code through reviews, testing, and troubleshooting.
What You'll Bring
- BS or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience with C++ or Python in production environments.
- Experience with ROS 2 or similar robotics frameworks.
- Familiarity with git, issue tracking, CI/CD, and modern engineering practices.
- Strong communication skills to explain technical ideas clearly.
- Ability to work independently and within a fast-moving team.
- Precision, attention to detail, and troubleshooting expertise.
Nice To Have Skills
- Travel flexibility for occasional events and public demos.
- Experience with multiple robot platforms.
- Knowledge of machine learning in robotics applications.
- Familiarity with Docker, cloud, or other deployment tools.
Why This Role Matters
- Your work will directly engage the public with state-of-the-art robotics.
- You will design and deploy software that works in the real world, not just in a lab.
- You will be part of a team that blends engineering excellence with creativity.
- You’ll see your projects come to life for thousands of people over weeks-long public events.
Top Skills
C++
Ci/Cd
Docker
Git
Python
Ros 2
RAI Institute Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Office
145 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02142
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