Senior Robotic Systems Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE This is a foundational senior engineering hire at an early-stage industrial robotics startup in Munich. You will own the core robotics software stack end-to-end — from motion planning and control through to real-world deployment of an intelligent robotic work cell built for the hardest manual tasks in industry: surface finishing, welding, and coating. This is a high-ownership, hands-on role for someone who thrives on turning real hardware into reliable, production-grade systems. You'll shape architecture decisions from day one on a small, ambitious team pushing the boundaries of industrial automation. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Own and evolve the core robotics software stack of the work cell - Develop and optimize motion planning, trajectory generation, and control algorithms for industrial robot arms - 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 activities - Drive system architecture decisions and establish engineering best practices WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Required: - 5+ years of hands-on experience in robotics engineering, with a strong focus on real-world hardware (simulation-only backgrounds are not a fit) - Demonstrated experience with motion planning and trajectory generation for industrial robot arms in production environments (e.g. KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Universal Robots) - Proficiency in C++ and/or Python - Experience with ROS 2 - Hands-on integration of force/torque sensors and/or vision systems - Solid grounding in kinematics, dynamics, and control theory - Eligible to work in Germany — visa sponsorship is not available Nice to Have: - Background in surface finishing, welding, or industrial coating applications - Experience with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA) - Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as EtherCAT or OPC-UA - German language skills (not required) COMPENSATION & BENEFITS - Competitive cash salary in the range of €75,000 – €110,000 annually - Meaningful equity participation — ownership is a core part of the offer LOCATION - Munich, Bavaria, Germany — fully on-site - Remote work is not available for this role - Candidates must already be eligible to work in Germany; no visa sponsorship is offered