UI/UX Software Engineer - NREC

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), engineers and technicians drive breakthroughs in sophisticated robotic solutions for industrial, commercial, and government sectors. The UI/UX Software Engineer will work on a variety of user interfaces for robotic systems, collaborating with internal teams and sponsoring partners throughout all lifecycle stages. The role involves developing user interfaces for both internal and external use, centered around robotic systems, and supporting projects ranging from industrial machine operator assist systems to agricultural productivity tools and other automation, autonomy, or safety systems.

Requirements

B.S. in Computer Science, HCI, Design, or equivalent practical experience, with 1–3+ years of combined academic or professional software development experience.
Hands-on experience building modern, responsive user interfaces using QML and/or Qt.
Understanding of how to connect QML frontends to application backends (via C++ signals/slots, PySide6/PyQt, or async data handlers).
Ability to translate user feedback, operational workflows, and rough sketches/wireframes into clear, functional visual layouts.
Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to thrive in a cross-functional, multidisciplinary team environment.
Proficiency with Git version control, writing clean code, and participating in peer code/design reviews.
Enthusiasm for learning how physical hardware works and bridging the gap between human operators and complex machines.
Successful pre-employment background check
This position will require work on a variety of projects, including projects that involve military/defense applications and/or are funded by military/defense sponsors.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing for touch pendants, handheld controllers, or embedded/cyber-physical systems.
Experience with robotics frameworks or tools (ROS / ROS 2, Gazebo, or 3D telemetry visualization).
Experience conducting usability interviews or observing end-users operating hardware in the field.
Exposure to Python, backend development, or database integration.
Familiarity with graphic design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, GIMP, or Photoshop) or Qt Design Studio.
Experience with Android development or embedded Linux deployment.

Responsibilities

Co-Design Human-Machine Interfaces: Partner closely with robotics engineers, hardware teams, and field operators to design custom, intuitive interfaces for complex robotic systems.
Build Native Qt/QML Frontends: Develop fluid, hardware-accelerated user interfaces using QML and/or Qt, binding them smoothly to backend C++ or Python data streams.
Prototype & Test with Real Users: Prototype interaction flows and collaborate directly with end-users to evaluate usability, safety, and operator performance in the field.
Integrate Real-Time System Data: Connect UI components to central system state engines, telemetry feeds, and databases while ensuring the interface remains fast and responsive.
Champion Collaborative Software Development: Actively participate in an inclusive team culture through constructive peer reviews of both designs and code, integration testing, version control, and clear documentation.
Integrate & Adapt APIs: Adapt open-source libraries, proprietary tools, and backend APIs to extend UI capabilities cleanly and maintainably.
Cross-Functional Field Testing: Validate and refine interfaces through hands-on testing with both simulated environments and physical robotic hardware alongside the broader engineering team.