Robotics Software Engineer
UL Research Institutes
Summary
The Robotics Software Engineer will design and maintain the software infrastructure that connects laboratory automation, robotics, scientific instruments, data systems, and decision tools into integrated autonomous workflows. The role will work closely with scientists, automation engineers, robotics engineers, and data scientists to build scalable, reliable software for experimental orchestration and closed-loop research.
Job description
What you'll learn and achieve
- Develop and maintain software integrations for laboratory instruments, robotics, and automation platforms.
- Design and implement scalable APIs and reusable interfaces for communication across heterogeneous systems.
- Build workflow orchestration for multi-step experimental processes across synthesis, sample handling, characterization, and analysis.
- Develop and maintain sample tracking, metadata, and lineage capabilities to support experimental traceability.
- Implement scheduling, system-state management, error handling, and recovery capabilities to support reliable unattended operation.
- Integrate systems using APIs, OPC-UA, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, serial communication, and related protocols.
- Collaborate with Data Science team to support integration with scientific databases, data platforms, ML models, and decision tools.
- Develop monitoring, logging, dashboards, and diagnostic tools in conjunction with Data Science team.
- Apply modern software engineering practices including Git, testing, CI/CD, documentation, and containerization.
- Troubleshoot and resolve software issues, implementing proactive solutions to enhance system stability.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate laboratory needs into scalable software solutions.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What makes you a great fit
- Demonstrated proficiency in Python and experience developing production-quality software.
- Experience with an additional programming language or development framework such as C#, .NET, Java, Go, or TypeScript is preferred.
- Experience designing APIs, distributed systems, microservices, or event-driven architectures.
- Experience integrating software with hardware, robotics, instrumentation, or automation systems.
- Working knowledge of SQL/NoSQL databases and data integration.
- Knowledge of workflow orchestration, scheduling, state machines, and asynchronous systems.
- Experience with Git, automated testing, Docker, CI/CD, and software documentation.
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience with scientific laboratories, robotics, controls, or autonomous systems is highly desirable.
Professional education and experience requirements
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, robotics, controls, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum 4 years of professional software development experience.
- Experience building scalable software systems beyond standalone scripts.
- Experience integrating laboratory instruments, robotics, automation, or other cyber-physical systems is strongly preferred.
- Experience working in a scientific research, laboratory, manufacturing, or research and development environment is preferred.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, robotics, controls, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum 4 years of professional software development experience.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Python and experience developing production-quality software.
- Experience designing APIs, distributed systems, microservices, or event-driven architectures.
- Experience integrating software with hardware, robotics, instrumentation, or automation systems.
- Working knowledge of SQL/NoSQL databases and data integration.
- Knowledge of workflow orchestration, scheduling, state machines, and asynchronous systems.
- Experience with Git, automated testing, Docker, CI/CD, and software documentation.
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience building scalable software systems beyond standalone scripts.
Benefits
- Bonus compensation
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- 401k matching
- Retirement saving fund
- Paid time off
- Vacation days
- Holiday pay
- Sick days
- Volunteer days
- Flexible working arrangements
Company overview
UL Research Institutes is a leading independent safety science organization with global reach, established in 1894 as part of the UL enterprise. Dedicated to exploring vital questions related to public safety, the organization senses and acts on risks to humanity and our planet through rigorous scientific research. As one of three distinct organizations within the UL enterprise alongside UL Solutions and UL Standards & Engagement, UL Research Institutes focuses on discovery-driven investigations across multiple scientific disciplines. The organization conducts research in electrochemical safety science, fire science, chemical and environmental safety, data science, and emerging technologies. Their work supports the development of practical safety standards and policies while addressing urgent safety problems including environmental pollution, artificial intelligence inequities, and sustainable technology deployment. With a global network of scientists and safety professionals, UL Research Institutes defines the safe and sustainable use of materials ranging from legacy devices to new technologies, advancing safety science for the greater good through objective, evidence-based research.