About the Role
This is a foundational senior engineering hire at an early-stage industrial robotics startup based in Munich, Germany. The company is building a fully flexible, intelligent robotic work cell designed for the hardest manual industrial tasks — surface finishing, welding, and coating. You will own the core robotics software stack end-to-end, from motion planning and control through to real-world deployment on the shop floor.
This is a high-ownership, high-impact role for someone who thrives on real hardware, moves fast, and wants to shape the technical direction of a small, ambitious team pushing the boundaries of industrial automation.
What You'll Do
Own and evolve the core robotics software stack of an industrial robotic work cell
Develop and optimize motion planning, trajectory generation, and robot control algorithms
Integrate perception systems — cameras, force/torque sensors, LiDAR — into real-time control loops
Design, implement, and validate industrial safety concepts and fail-safe behaviors
Lead on-site testing, calibration, and commissioning of robotic work cells in industrial environments
Drive architecture decisions and establish engineering best practices across the team
Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and process engineers
What We're Looking For
Must-haves (dealbreakers):
5+ years of hands-on robotics experience in industrial automation, including direct work with industrial robotic arms
Strong proficiency in C++ and Python for robotics software development
Solid experience with ROS 2 for robot software development and system integration
Ability and willingness to work on-site in Munich, Germany (relocation required if not already local; no visa sponsorship available)
Required skills & experience:
Hands-on experience with industrial robot arms (e.g., KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Universal Robots) in real production environments
Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks and/or CATIA for mechanical understanding and integration
Experience with industrial communication protocols: EtherCAT and OPC-UA
Proven ability to integrate perception systems into real-time control loops
Experience designing and validating industrial safety concepts and fail-safe behaviors
Track record of on-site commissioning and calibration of robotic systems
Background in surface finishing, welding, or coating within manufacturing environments
Nice to have:
German language skills (not required — English is the working language)
Startup experience: strong independent ownership, comfort with ambiguity, cross-functional collaboration
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: €75,000 – €110,000 per year (depending on experience)
Equity participation — meaningful, early-stage equity package
Full-time, permanent position
Location
Munich, Bavaria, Germany — fully on-site
Relocation to Munich is required
No visa sponsorship available — candidates must have existing right to work in Germany/EU
