Nimble Robotics

Nimble Robotics

Senior Robotics SWE, System Identification & Modeling

San Francisco, CA · Senior

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 55 days ago
PythonRustFull-Stack DevelopmentCode ReviewData EngineeringValuationSupply ChainEmbedded SystemsRoboticsMechanical DesignElectrical EngineeringHardware DesignControlsResearchCommunicationActuators

About the role

  • We are looking for a Senior Robotics Software Engineer specializing in System Identification and Modeling to build the core software powering our next-generation autonomous robots. In this role, you will develop and maintain the mathematical models, parameter estimation pipelines, and feedforward/feedback control systems that allow our robots to operate with exceptional reliability, precision, and efficiency in real production environments.
  • You will work across the full robotics and autonomy stack - building robust, production-grade software that scales as we deploy more robots into high-throughput operations - while serving as the team's deep expert in system identification, dynamics modeling, and model-based control. You'll collaborate closely with AI, hardware, controls, and infrastructure teams to integrate frontier AI capabilities with rigorous physics-based models, continually improving robot uptime, performance, and overall intelligence.
  • We are looking for a Senior Robotics Software Engineer specializing in System Identification and Modeling to build the core software powering our next-generation autonomous robots.

Responsibilities

  • Design and execute system identification experiments for actuators, mechanisms, and full robot subsystems - motors, arms, elevators, drivetrains - fitting dynamic models via regression and curve-fitting to derive accurate feedforward and feedback controllers.
  • Own kinematic calibration workflows: DH parameter identification, wheel radius estimation, and tool-center-point calibration to drive measurable improvements in arm accuracy and mobile base odometry.
  • Build automated calibration and sys-id tooling that runs on production hardware, enabling rapid re-characterization after mechanical changes, wear, or new platform deployments.
  • Lead design and implementation of robot behaviors and task-level intelligence across the full stack, integrating perception, planning, and control into reliable end-to-end execution across nominal and edge-case scenarios.
  • Drive measurable improvements in autonomy quality and arm accuracy using data, operational metrics, and model validation (diagnostic plots, residual analysis, statistical benchmarks).
  • Collaborate with hardware engineering on software-hardware integration for new platforms and upgrades
  • Lead technical design reviews, drive architecture decisions for core subsystems, and mentor engineers and technicians on reliability, testing, and operational excellence.
  • Collaborate with hardware engineering on software-hardware integration for new platforms and upgrades; triage and resolve production robotics issues.
  • Nimble is an AI robotics company building the autonomous supply chain to power fast, efficient and economical commerce.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • Hands-on experience characterizing real electromechanical systems: motors, gearboxes, linear actuators, articulated arms, or similar mechanisms.
  • Strong proficiency in at least one of the following: Rust, Python, C++.
  • Experience integrating software with sensors, actuators, and embedded systems.
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience building production robotics systems.
  • Strong foundation in dynamics, controls, and system identification - including least-squares regression, parameter estimation, state-space and transfer-function modeling, and feedforward/feedback controller design.
  • Proven ability to design, implement, and maintain complex, high-reliability software systems.
  • Familiarity with software best practices including testing, documentation, code reviews, and robust architectural design.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Willingness to support production operations through an on-call rotation.

Nice to have

  • Graduate-level coursework or research in system identification, optimal estimation, or adaptive control.
  • Familiarity with physics simulators (MuJoCo, Drake, Isaac Sim) and sim-to-real transfer, including using identified parameters to calibrate simulation environments.
  • Experience with real-time embedded system development, RTOS, or bare-metal firmware.
  • Exposure to automation environments such as warehousing, manufacturing, or logistics.
  • Experience with safety-critical systems.
  • Familiarity with ROS/ROS 2 and standard robotics middleware.
  • Your exact offer may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
  • We embrace challenges and strive to make the impossible possible each day.

Compensation

  • The pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $190,000 and $250,000/year.
  • In addition to cash compensation, this position will also receive generous equity for this position.

Benefits

  • We want to create something legendary and leave our mark on the world.
  • Nimble's Benefits
  • Unlimited Flexible Time Off
  • Health Insurance
  • Nimble provides medical, dental, and vision insurance through several premier plans and options to support you and your family.
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Commuter Benefits

Company info

  • FedEx Announces Expansion of FedEx Fulfillment With Nimble Alliance
  • Why Join Nimble?
  • At Nimble, we are committed to building legendary products, a legendary team, and a legendary legacy.
  • Join us and become part of an ambitious, humble, and resourceful culture where your work will leave a lasting impact on the future of robotics and commerce.
  • If this sounds like you then you might be a great fit!
  • Nimble Robotics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
  • We make all employment decisions based solely on merit.
  • We provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state, federal or local laws.
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This listing is sourced directly from Nimble Robotics's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.