Senior Robotic Systems Engineer

About the Role

This is a foundational senior engineering hire at a small, ambitious deep-tech robotics startup in Munich. You will own the core robotics software stack of an industrial robotic work cell — from motion planning and control through to real-world deployment. The company is automating some of the most demanding manual tasks in industry: surface finishing, welding, and coating. You'll work hands-on with hardware every day and have meaningful influence over both technical architecture and product direction.

This role is on-site in Munich. Candidates must already be eligible to work in Germany — visa sponsorship is not available.

What You'll Do

• Own and evolve the core robotics software stack of a fully flexible intelligent robotic work cell

• Develop and optimize motion planning, trajectory generation, and robot control algorithms for industrial arms in real production environments

• Integrate perception systems — cameras, force/torque sensors, LiDAR — into real-time control loops

• Implement industrial safety concepts and fail-safe behaviors

• Lead on-site testing, calibration, and commissioning of the work cell

• Drive architecture decisions and establish engineering best practices across the team

What We're Looking For

Required:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in robotics engineering, with demonstrable work on real industrial or collaborative robot arms (e.g. KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Universal Robots) in production environments — not simulation-only

• Strong expertise in motion planning, kinematics, dynamics, and trajectory generation

• Proficiency in C++ and/or Python for real-time robotics software

• Experience with ROS 2 or equivalent robotics middleware

• Hands-on sensor integration: force/torque, vision, and/or LiDAR in closed-loop control

• Experience with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks or CATIA

• Eligibility to work in Germany; able to work on-site in Munich

Nice to Have:

• Background in surface finishing, welding, or industrial coating applications

• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as EtherCAT or OPC-UA

• Experience implementing industrial safety standards and fail-safe behaviors

• German language skills (not required — English is sufficient)

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: €75,000 – €110,000 per year (depending on experience)

• Meaningful equity participation — this is a foundational hire with real ownership upside

• High-autonomy, high-ownership engineering role in a lean, technical team

Location

Munich, Bavaria, Germany — fully on-site. Remote work is not available for this position. Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to Munich, and must already hold the right to work in Germany. Visa sponsorship is not offered.