Senior Research Engineer, Localization and Mapping

Department: Software Engineering

Location: Santa Clara, Seattle

Employment Type: FullTime

Do you thrive on pushing the boundaries of how robots perceive and interact with their environments? At Cobot, we’re designing the technologies that make seamless human-robot collaboration possible — and we’re looking for a Senior Research Engineer, Localization and Mapping to help bring that vision to life.

In this role, you’ll develop and refine the algorithms that give our robots spatial understanding — from real-time localization and mapping to multi-sensor fusion and calibration. You’ll collaborate closely with teams across perception, navigation, and systems engineering to ensure our robots operate with precision and reliability in complex, dynamic environments.

You’ll have the opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge research and real-world deployment — contributing directly to how Cobot’s robots learn, adapt, and move through the world. If you’re passionate about advancing the state of localization and mapping while helping shape the future of collaborative robotics, we’d love to hear from you.

Join us to reimagine the future of human-robot interaction.

Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction. We are working to realize a world where robots are a trusted extension of your surroundings. They work, adapt, and react around you. Not the other way around.

This role is located onsite at our Santa Clara, CA headquarters. Cobot will offer a relocation stipend if you are relocating to join our Santa Clara office and currently live more than 50 miles outside of the office location.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect and execute innovative strategies for mapping and localization.

• Engineer cutting-edge on-device algorithms for real-time simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of experience working within engineering teams.

• Proficiency in C++ and Python, with a readiness to learn new languages or technologies.

• Expert in localization, mapping, calibration, state estimation techniques (e.g., filtering techniques, graph optimization, factor graphs, bundle adjustment).

• Experience implementing production-grade, high-reliability software on a robot or similar autonomous system.

• Highly motivated teammate with excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Enjoy working in a fast paced, collaborative and dynamic start-up environment as part of a small team.

• Willing to occasionally travel.

• Must have and maintain US work authorization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related technical field.

• Robust background in robotics.

• Python experience preferred.

• Experience with ROS, writing GPU/hardware accelerated algorithms.

• Experience managing mapping and localization across fleets of robots.

• Experience with multimodal sensor calibration and multimodal sensor algorithm development, sensor fusion.

• Proven track record of manipulating and visualizing extensive datasets.

• Familiar with sensor models.

• Practical experience with simulation technologies.

The base salary range for this position is $205,000-$225,000 plus equity and comprehensive benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and experience level. The range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in the noted geographic area. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Cobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.