This is a foundational senior engineering hire at an early-stage industrial robotics startup based in Munich, Germany. The company is building a fully flexible, intelligent robotic work cell designed for the hardest manual industrial tasks — surface finishing, welding, and coating. You will own the core robotics software stack end-to-end, from motion planning and control through to real-world deployment on the shop floor.
This is a high-ownership, high-impact role for someone who thrives on real hardware, moves fast, and wants to shape the technical direction of a small, ambitious team pushing the boundaries of industrial automation.
What You’ll Do
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Own and evolve the core robotics software stack of an industrial robotic work cell
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Develop and optimize motion planning, trajectory generation, and robot control algorithms
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Integrate perception systems — cameras, force/torque sensors, LiDAR — into real-time control loops
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Design, implement, and validate industrial safety concepts and fail-safe behaviors
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Lead on-site testing, calibration, and commissioning of robotic work cells in industrial environments
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Drive architecture decisions and establish engineering best practices across the team
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Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and process engineers
What We’re Looking For
Must-haves (dealbreakers):
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5+ years of hands-on robotics experience in industrial automation, including direct work with industrial robotic arms
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Strong proficiency in C++ and Python for robotics software development
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Solid experience with ROS 2 for robot software development and system integration
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Ability and willingness to work on-site in Munich, Germany (relocation required if not already local; no visa sponsorship available)
Required skills & experience:
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Hands-on experience with industrial robot arms (e.g., KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Universal Robots) in real production environments
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Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks and/or CATIA for mechanical understanding and integration
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Experience with industrial communication protocols: EtherCAT and OPC-UA
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Proven ability to integrate perception systems into real-time control loops
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Experience designing and validating industrial safety concepts and fail-safe behaviors
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Track record of on-site commissioning and calibration of robotic systems
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Background in surface finishing, welding, or coating within manufacturing environments
Nice to have:
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German language skills (not required — English is the working language)
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Startup experience: strong independent ownership, comfort with ambiguity, cross-functional collaboration
Compensation & Benefits
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Salary: €75,000 – €110,000 per year (depending on experience)