Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
This Senior Software Engineer role stands out in the SaaS landscape because it sits at the intersection of product-facing APIs and complex backend services, where reliability and usability directly shape adoption. Even though the domain is robotics, the work described maps closely to SaaS patterns: building a core service, exposing it through developer-friendly interfaces, and iterating based on real user needs across multiple deployment environments.
For a long-term SaaS career, the value lies in owning foundational platform capabilities rather than isolated features. Driving high-impact technical projects, advising on technical strategy, and balancing simplicity with practical constraints are all experiences that translate to senior engineering paths in SaaS, particularly in platform, infrastructure-adjacent backend, and developer experience tracks. The emphasis on modern engineering practices and shipping core functionality also aligns with how SaaS companies scale systems while keeping iteration loops tight.
This role is best suited to an engineer who prefers deep technical ownership and cross-functional influence, and who enjoys turning advanced systems into accessible building blocks for other teams and users. It fits someone comfortable mentoring peers, communicating tradeoffs clearly, and working close to the core of a product’s technical differentiation.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
Location
New York City, NY, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA
Employment Type
Full time
Compensation
- $180K – $240K • Offers Equity
Senior Software Engineer, Motion Planning
About Standard Bots
Standard Bot's mission is to significantly lower the barrier to entry to real-world automation, bringing the power of bits to the world of atoms and unlocking productivity for entire new industries and users. We specialize in developing intuitive solutions for robotic arm manipulation and control, making advanced motion planning accessible to a broader range of industries.
Our user facing applications and APIs directly empower individuals and developers to jump directly into solving their challenges through sophisticated yet approachable robotic arm control systems. A relentless focus on simplicity and ease of use brings this revolutionary potential to new users and industries.
What you'll do
We're looking for seasoned and skilled technical leaders to help architect the future of robotics through best in class, modern software engineering practices. As a Senior Software Engineer on our motion planning team, you will work with other engineers, organizational leaders, and users to advance our robotic arm control systems and unlock entirely new potential for our users.
Responsibilities
Implement core functionality surrounding our motion planning service
Identify, scope, and drive high impact technical projects in robotic manipulation
Advise leadership on technical decisions and strategy in robotics
Mentor and advise other engineers on best practices and motion planning concepts
Tech Stack
Stack: Node.js, Python, C++
Motion Planning: ROS2, MoveIt2
Infrastructure: Docker, Github Actions
Who you are
We're looking for engineers who are self-driven, optimistic, creative, and resourceful who are interested in working deep in a robotics stack. Motion planning experience is required for this role.
Skills you'll bring
Motion planning experience: You have experience writing motion planning algorithms. Robotic arm experience is preferred, but motion planning for autonomous vehicles and related domains is also considered.
Backend experience: You have covered all parts of driving a project to completion, focusing mainly on backend services
Experience: You have a strong technical background, including 5+ total years of experience in software engineering, with ideally 3+ of those years working with robotic systems and complex software environments. In lieu of formal work experience, we will also consider a relevant PhD + research projects.
Growth + Optimism: You are excited by challenging robotics problems and eager to make sophisticated motion planning accessible to non-experts
Clarity of Communication: You excel in written and verbal communication and can effectively explain complex robotics concepts to diverse audiences
Impact Driven: You relentlessly seek user impact and value practical solutions over technical idealism
Proactive Simplicity: You prioritize simplicity, reliability, and velocity in robotics applications and proactively identify opportunities to improve motion planning systems
Excelling in Ambitious Environments: You excel in dynamic and ambitious environments, working with a diverse group of individuals and backgrounds
Nice to Haves
Algorithmic focused experience: Many of our projects require diving deeper into the motion planning algorithm stack, so an algorithmic focused background is preferred
ROS/Moveit2 Experience: We prefer someone with ROS experience to quickly get up to speed with our motion planning stack
Full-stack Experience: While this role is primarily backend, familiarity with frontend development is valuable in our full-stack environment.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this role is $180,000 to $240,000, depending on experience. We are open to a variety of seniority levels for this role and will build compensation packages that are commensurate with seniority and skill level. Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at Standard Bots. All Full-Time Employees are eligible for Employee Stock Options. We also offer a package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees.
Compensation Range: $180K - $240K
