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Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer - Human Motion Data

Austin, TX · On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting ... JOB SUMMARY As a Software Engineer- Human Motion Data, you will leverage your background in ...

Intelligent software orchestrates advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system ... What we need Symbotic is currently seeking a principal robotics engineer to join our Mobile ...

Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting ... As a Senior Software Engineer on the Autonomy team at Apptronik, you will design and deploy ...

ICON is looking for a Robotics Simulation Engineer to join our Software team. As a Robotics Simulation Engineer, you will build and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments that accelerate the ...

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in ... We are seeking a talented Robot Platform Software Engineer to join our team in Austin, TX. This ...

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Robotics Software Engineer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$59.5K

$123.4K

$177.4K

How much do robotics software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics software engineer in Austin, TX is $123,399.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,100.00 and $150,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Robotics Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Robotics Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, robotics, and mathematics, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in algorithm development. Proficiency with programming languages like C++, Python, and ROS (Robot Operating System), as well as familiarity with simulation tools and version control systems, is essential. Problem-solving ability, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating on complex projects and adapting to evolving technologies. These skills and qualities are vital for designing, implementing, and maintaining reliable robotic systems that perform effectively in real-world environments.

Can a software engineer work in robotics?

A robotics software engineer develops and maintains software for robotic systems, often using programming languages like C++ and Python, and working with hardware interfaces and control algorithms. This role typically requires knowledge of robotics frameworks such as ROS and experience with embedded systems or sensors. Software engineers with these skills can work in robotics companies, research labs, or automation environments.

What Does a Robotics Software Engineer Do?

The job duties of a robotics software engineer are working to develop software for robot control and automation. In this job, your responsibilities include working on an embedded system that controls automated equipment. You may build new software or test, improve, or debug current software. Most robotics software engineers work for the manufacturing industry and focus on robots that companies use in product production. You may work in other fields that use robotics as well. This job may include responsibilities such as developing a user interface that non-technical employees can use to set up the equipment.

What is the difference between Robotics Software Engineer vs Mechatronics Engineer?

AspectRobotics Software EngineerMechatronics Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related field; programming skillsBachelor's in Mechatronics, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; multidisciplinary knowledge
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, robotics labs, research facilitiesDesign, integrate mechanical and electronic systems, often in manufacturing or automation
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, robotics firms, research institutionsManufacturing, automation, aerospace, automotive industries

While both roles involve robotics, a Robotics Software Engineer primarily focuses on developing software for robotic systems, whereas a Mechatronics Engineer designs and integrates mechanical, electronic, and software components. The roles often overlap but differ in their core focus areas and skill sets.

Is robotics a dead field?

Robotics is an active and growing field with ongoing advancements in automation, AI integration, and sensor technologies. Robotics Software Engineers are in demand across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, requiring skills in programming languages like C++ and Python, as well as familiarity with robotic frameworks like ROS.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior robotics software engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in programming languages like C++ and Python, and expertise in areas such as machine learning or autonomous systems can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often associated with leadership roles, specialized knowledge, and working in industries like aerospace, defense, or high-tech manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by Robotics Software Engineers when integrating software with hardware systems?

Robotics Software Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring seamless communication between software algorithms and physical hardware components. These can include dealing with sensor noise, managing real-time constraints, debugging hardware-software mismatches, and ensuring reliable performance in unpredictable environments. Close collaboration with electrical and mechanical engineers is essential to quickly resolve integration issues and to test software on physical robots. Adapting to rapid hardware changes and troubleshooting in live environments require strong problem-solving skills and effective cross-disciplinary teamwork.

What does a Robotics Software Engineer do?

A Robotics Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains the software that controls and powers robots. This includes writing code for robot perception, control algorithms, and integration with hardware components. They work closely with hardware engineers to ensure seamless interaction between the robot's physical and digital systems. Their work often involves programming in languages such as C++, Python, or ROS (Robot Operating System) and testing robots in real-world or simulated environments.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior robotics software engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in AI, machine learning, or embedded systems, and often working in high-demand industries or at large tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually. Compensation at this level typically includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially in competitive markets or leadership roles.
What are popular job titles related to Robotics Software Engineer jobs in Austin, TX? For Robotics Software Engineer jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Robotics Software Engineer jobs? Cities near Austin, TX with the most Robotics Software Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Robotics Software Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,399 per year, or $59.3 per hour.
Software Engineer - Human Motion Data

Software Engineer - Human Motion Data

Apptronik

Austin, TX • On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
As a Software Engineer- Human Motion Data, you will leverage your background in robotics to build the crucial link between human-data and our reinforcement learning pipelines. This role is dedicated to architecting robust motion data pipelines-integrating diverse sources like mocap, game engines (like Unreal or Unity), teleoperation, and generative AI motion models to generate thousands of rich, physically accurate human motion trajectories. You will apply your deep expertise in kinematics and rigid body dynamics to translate raw human movement into actionable, dynamically feasible data for whole-body reinforcement learning. As a core member of the Motion Control and Planning team, you will work closely with Controls stakeholders to play a key role in maintaining a high-velocity, ego-free engineering culture while ensuring our humanoid robots move with unprecedented fluidity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
  • Design, build, and maintain end-to-end motion data pipelines, integrating diverse sources such as motion capture (mocap), teleoperation, and synthetic generation using diffusion models, animation and gaming engines, to support humanoid robot development.
  • Implement and optimize kinematic and dynamic retargeting pipelines to accurately map human demonstrations onto the robot's specific physical constraints, mass distributions, and joint limits.
  • Develop tools and scripts to process and clean raw human demonstration data, and apply state-of-the-art retargeting libraries (e.g., GMR, Omni-retarget) to synthesize and filter new behaviors.
  • Leverage game engines (Unreal Engine or Unity) and physics simulators to build simulated environments for procedural motion generation and data augmentation.
  • Generate high-volume, high-quality trajectory datasets required for training whole-body reinforcement learning policies.
  • Write robust, automated pipelines to streamline data flow between human demonstration sources, generative motion models, game engines, and the RL training infrastructure.
  • Collaborate closely with the Reinforcement Learning and Controls teams to iterate on data requirements, understand failure modes, and ensure the generated trajectories are physically viable on hardware.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
  • Strong theoretical and practical understanding of robot kinematics (FK/IK), coordinate transformations, and rigid body dynamics.
  • Experience building or maintaining pipelines for spatial data, including motion capture, teleoperation tracking, or AI-driven motion generation.
  • Expertise in Python for scripting, data processing, and pipeline automation.
  • A results-oriented mindset with an eagerness to bridge the gap between human motion data and real-world robotic control algorithms.
  • High adaptability and a willingness to explore new tools, moving seamlessly across different layers of the robotics software stack as project needs evolve.NICE TO HAVE (BONUS QUALIFICATIONS)
    • Hands-on experience with state-of-the-art motion generation models and open-source retargeting libraries (e.g., GMR, Omni-retarget).
    • Proficiency in C++ is highly valued to help integrate with our broader robotics software stack.
    • Familiarity and hands-on experience utilizing 3D game engines (Unreal Engine or Unity) or advanced physics simulators for robotics data generation or simulation.
    • Hardware (HW) experience, particularly working directly with physical robotic platforms.
    • A strong portfolio showcasing relevant robotics, sim-to-real, or motion generation projects.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • A BS or MS degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related highly technical field.
  • 2+ years of industry or applied research experience in robotics, motion planning, sim-to-real pipelines, or technical animation data generation.
  • A proven track record of processing large amounts of spatial or motion data to drive robotic or simulated systems.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
  • Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
  • Hearing and speech to communicate

*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.