Robotics Software Engineer - ML and Grasping

About this role:

Pickle is looking for a Robotics Software Engineer with a focus on Machine Learning and Grasping to join a small, high-impact team working at the intersection of classical robotics and modern AI. This role sits at the heart of one of our core technical challenges: how does the robot decide what and how to grasp? The answer involves a fusion of classical robotic techniques with state-of-the-art neural networks and models. If you are someone who has gotten their hands dirty with both ML systems and robotic platforms, and you want to work on problems that are technically deep and practically grounded, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain software at the intersection of machine learning and robotics, with a focus on robot grasping — determining which gripper configuration and tools to use.

• Integrate, improve, and harness SOTA ML models for our task domain. Modify the architectures, create training pipelines, deploy to robots, and continually iterate.

• Collaborate closely with a small, highly technical team (currently two engineers).

• Contribute to simulation-based development and testing of grasping and manipulation systems.

• Participate in code reviews, technical discussions, and cross-functional problem-solving with perception and motion planning teammates.

• Extensively leverage AI coding tools and modern development workflows to maximize individual and team output.

Skills & Experience

• Hands-on experience with machine learning — you have implemented complete ML systems before, understand the terminology, and are comfortable working with medium-scale cloud-based training pipelines.

• Experience applying ML in the context of a robotic system is strongly preferred; a background that spans both the perception and motion planning domains is ideal.

• Strong Python skills are essential. Cloud knowledge (especially GCP) is preferred.

• Familiarity with classical robotics concepts (motion planning, geometry, perception)

• Experience with simulation tooling (Isaac Sim, MuJuCo, etc) for robotics development is a meaningful advantage.

• BS required; MS preferred in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Active use of AI coding assistants and modern development tooling in your day-to-day workflow is preferred.

• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate clearly across engineering teams with different specializations.

• Willing to work in the office from our Charlestown, MA location at least three days per week.

Pay at Pickle

At Pickle Robot Company, we believe transparency builds trust. The salary range listed here is provided in accordance with Massachusetts law and reflects what we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role. We often consider candidates at different levels of seniority, and final compensation will reflect the level at which a candidate is hired, along with factors like experience and location.

About Pickle Robot

Want to get in on the ground floor of a fast-growing, VC-backed robotics company? Join Pickle Robot! We build systems that companies and their teams love.

Pickle robots unload trucks. Every day, millions of trucks and containers are loaded and unloaded, often requiring manual labor—tough, dirty, dangerous, and hard to staff. Pickle automates this process using AI, machine learning, and robotics to deliver reliable products. Our Unload Systems work with teams on loading docks to make the job safer, faster, and more efficient.

Pickle provides best-in-class benefits including health, dental, & vision insurance; unlimited vacation, along with all federal and state holidays; 401K contributions of 5% your salary, travel supplies, and other items to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive.