Robotics Software / Forward Deployed Engineer (US)

About the Role at RobCo

RobCo is building the category of Autonomous Industrial Robotics and we're doing it fast. We believe that automating the ordinary frees humans to do the extraordinary, and we're building the end-to-end robotics infrastructure to make that possible - hardware, software, and AI in one stack that just works.

As our first US-based Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll sit at the intersection of robotics software, Product Engineering, and real-world customer applications. You make our platform fit the factory floor when the standard product isn't enough, developing the software and integrations needed to make complex customer solutions work on real robots.

You'll work on technically challenging projects, often solving problems that haven't yet been solved by most robotics companies. Depending on the project, this could mean developing new motion capabilities, building new RobFlow functionality, integrating vision or third-party systems, or connecting our robots to a customer's existing technology stack.

Based in Austin, you'll work closely with our Solution Engineering team in the US and collaborate across our engineering organization in Germany, including Software Platform, Robot Control, and Computer Vision. When you're not working on a customer-specific project, you'll contribute directly to our core software platform.

This is the first role of its kind in the US and the beginning of a broader Forward Deployed Engineering function. As the team grows, you'll have the opportunity to help shape how we build and deliver increasingly complex robotics solutions.

Your Responsibilities

• Build custom robotic software solutions for deployments: custom motion generators, application-specific kinematic logic, and tailored automation workflows on the RobCo stack.
• Integrate peripherals and computer vision systems, including our in-house RobVision platform as well as third-party vision and sensor systems.
• Deploy, commission, and debug solutions on real robots at customer sites alongside the Solution Engineering team.
• Translate field requirements into product decisions and bring product knowledge back to the field. Turn recurring custom work into product features, and contribute to core robotics software at product-grade quality.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex software and robotics issues in US-based deployments.

We're looking for someone who has

• Aprox 3 to 5+ years of robotics software engineering: working across the entire stack, from robotics control, backend service to frontend.
• Strong software engineering skills in Python, C++ and ROS/ROS2, building production-level software.
• Hands-on experience developing software for and working with physical robots, ideally industrial robotic arms or manipulators.
• A solid understanding of kinematics, motion generation, motion planning, and robot control, with the ability to apply these concepts in real robotic applications.
• Experience working with APIs and integrating software components within larger systems.
• A strong ownership mentality, a resourceful and pragmatic working style, and the ability to take a problem and drive it to a working solution without step-by-step direction.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and time zones.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% within the US.

Nice to have

• Experience integrating computer vision systems into robotic applications.
• Experience with industrial robot peripherals such as grippers and sensors.
• Experience with PLCs and industrial communication protocols such as Modbus or Profinet.
• Experience integrating third-party machines or industrial equipment.
• Experience with ERP systems, customer databases, or similar external systems..
• Previous customer-facing engineering experience.

Why join RobCo?

• Develop modular, software-defined robotics solutions with us that set new standards in automation.
• Help us build robots equipped with state-of-the-art AI that perceive their environment, analyze data, and make intelligent decisions in real time.
• As part of a very dynamic and fast-growing scale-up, you will take on responsibility from day one, drive your own projects, and see the direct impact of your work.
• Flat hierarchies, open communication, and regular 360° feedback enable fast decisions and support your professional and personal development.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus a 401(k) plan.
• Unlimited paid time off incl. major holidays.
• Company-sponsored onboarding and team offsites in Germany.

About RobCo

Founded in Munich in 2020, RobCo leads the transition toward fully Autonomous Industrial Robotics. Our mission is to deploy RobCo in every factory - solving the industrial labor shortage through end-to-end robotics that just works. Powered by Physical AI, our solutions combine a scalable modular hardware architecture with intelligent software that continuously learns and improves, requiring zero upfront investment through our Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model.

We solve our customers' most pressing pain points - labor shortage, cost pressure, workplace safety, and national reshoring - across the full spectrum of Autonomous Industrial Robotics. In October 2026, RobCo reached unicorn status with a valuation exceeding one billion US dollars, with its valuation doubling in less than nine months. With $200M raised from investors including Sequoia, Lightspeed, Lingotto, Kindred, Cherry Ventures, and the European Tech Collective, 225+ people globally, and 3.5M+ operating hours in the field, we are deploying robots in factories across Europe and the United States - with our US operations headquartered in Austin, TX, and our Bay Area Lab in San Francisco.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

At RobCo, applicants are selected regardless of ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. All decisions throughout the recruitment process are based solely on applicants’ qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as relevant business requirements.