Lead Robotics Software Engineer

Location: San Francisco, California, US
Recruiter: Dapster, Inc
Date posted: Sunday, November 9, 2025

 

Job Description:

[Note: we are currently fully staffed for this role, but expect to be hiring for additional team members in the near future. So, we likely won't review/respond quickly, but we WILL look here first when we crank up the hiring machine again.]

Dapster is looking for a Lead Robotics Software Engineer to join our small-but-powerful team. This is an impact opportunity -- we're very much still an early-stage startup, and you will be working on our foundational technology and products.

About Dapster: Dapster is focused on bringing AI-fueled robotic picking solutions to market. We recently landed a large pilot with a top retailer -- effectively dilution-free funding to develop our core technology.

If you want to do interesting work with a sharp, experienced and humble team, and share in the upside that comes with joining at the earliest stages, we'd love to talk to you. The quick details:

What will you do? Broad ownership of development and refinement of key Dapster robot functionality (we can go into much more detail live).

What are we looking for?

• Excellent C/C++ and Python programming skills in a Linux environment.
• Deep understanding of motion planning and navigation algorithms and libraries like MoveIt! and nav_stack.
• Familiarity with OpenCV or similar computer vision libraries.
• A strong academic and work record (e.g. BS EE/ME/Robotics with 5+ years of experience or MS EE/ME/Robotics with 3+ years of experience) or commensurate work experience

Other nice-to-have's:

• Prototyping skills.
• Familiarity with simulation packages like IsaacSim.
• Experience as part of the development team for at least 1 full version of a shipping robot.

Dapster is a remote-friendly, hybrid workplace. We maintain a development lab in Palo Alto, CA, and occasionally travel to client sites (mainly Phoenix, AZ). Roles requiring interaction with our physical robots likely entail more in-office work than not. Other roles can be structured to your preferences.

Interested in learning more? Let's start a conversation -- you can apply directly below or reach out to Scott (one of our founders) with any questions at scott@dapster.ai.

 

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