Robotics Generalist

Skip • San Francisco, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Skip is seeking a senior robotics engineer to own the software that makes its wearable robots move. The role spans the full software stack, from real-time, on-device control loops to supporting platform software such as data pipelines, device management, and tooling. The engineer will work on current wearable robotics products and contribute to future devices and the Movewear platform. The position involves regular prototype wear for data collection, on-body testing, and feedback.

This is a full-time hybrid position based at Skip’s office in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco, with at least three days per week required at the Bay Area office. Skip is a 22-person early-stage startup that spun out of Google X in 2023 and is developing powered-movement products, including the MO/GO wearable robotic device.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in robotics.
• A proven track record of writing software that runs on hardware.
• Experience working in small teams; startup experience is preferred, and the ability to take on varied responsibilities is expected.
• Embedded systems experience, including the ability to write C/C++ and understand hardware-level operation.
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for algorithm development, data analysis, and test scripting, including familiarity with common AI-coding tools and their pitfalls.
• A strong foundation in control systems.
• Experience integrating and validating sensors such as IMUs, encoders, or force sensors.
• Ability to work at the Skip Bay Area office at least three days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with wearable robotics, exoskeletons, or prosthetics.
• Knowledge of motor control, including field-oriented control for BLDC motors, and actuator characterization.
• Embedded Linux experience.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as CAN.
• Experience with deep learning, especially for robotic systems.
• Experience with actuator characterization and integration.
• Familiarity with FreeRTOS or other real-time operating systems.
• Experience shipping consumer hardware through DVT/PVT and into production.
• Personal motivation to improve human movement.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement robotic software subsystems across the wearable robotics fleet, sharing components across products and robot iterations.
• Own core software and control features, including mechatronics firmware, motor control firmware, and platform features.
• Contribute to the real-time control loop, including sensing, decision-making, logging, safety monitoring, and fault detection.
• Contribute to machine-learning-based methods across simulation, training, labeling, on-device inference, sensor data collection, and testing.
• Support and contribute to hardware-in-the-loop and on-body test frameworks that validate system behavior across real-world conditions, including device provisioning and factory bring-up.
• Collaborate with firmware, hardware, and software teammates to define interfaces, resolve cross-disciplinary tradeoffs, and catch integration failures early.
• Contribute to system architecture decisions for current and future products, including the Parkinson’s device and future Movewear platform.
• Wear prototypes several hours per week for data collection and on-body testing, and provide feedback.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed