Staff Software Engineer, Combinatorial Optimization

Divergent • Torrance, CA

6d

About The Position

We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer, Combinatorial Optimization with a strong background and hands-on experience using the latest technologies in task planning, scheduling, and simulation. You will be working on designing, developing, and deploying software leveraging state‑of‑the‑art decision‑making technologies (SAT/SMT solvers, constraint programming, and more). You will be participating in an end-to-end solution that includes system and infrastructure design, algorithm development, and production deployment. This role will be key to building optimization-powered applications for robotics and manufacturing that improve process efficiency and product quality at Divergent.

Requirements

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science (or related) + 5 years of professional software‑engineering experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and C++ (multithreading, memory management).
• Proven experience with SAT/SMT solving, combinatorial optimization, and constraint programming.
• Strong background in task planning and scheduling (PDDL, heuristic/temporal planners, resource‑constrained project scheduling).
• Hands‑on with open‑source planning/scheduling libraries or equivalent.
• CI/CD pipeline design, Docker & Kubernetes deployment, automated unit‑testing, debugging, and performance profiling.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, written/oral communication, and collaboration skills.
• Solid understanding of system design, scalability, and cloud‑native architecture.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. (or equivalent research experience) with a strong publication record in task planning, scheduling, or related optimization venues.
• Active open‑source contributions to solver/planner projects.
• Familiarity with C# and TypeScript.
• Domain expertise in robotics or manufacturing workflows.
• Experience leading medium‑sized technical initiatives from definition through delivery.
• Strong stakeholder communication and conflict‑resolution abilities.
• Experience integrating ML/DL models with planning pipelines for hybrid approaches.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy innovative planning algorithms using the latest task planning, scheduling, and simulation techniques.
• Determine the system design and deployment architecture for the software pipeline.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate and optimize planning solutions into products and processes.
• Document your work, including code, algorithms, user manuals, and procedures, to support knowledge sharing and future development efforts.
• Develop and maintain software development best practices to ensure high-quality code, efficient testing, and timely releases.
• Stay updated on advancements in planning algorithms and technologies, and contribute fresh ideas and insights to the team.

Benefits

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees