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Senior Robotics Software Engineer | Manipulation

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

Role at a Glance

Gecko Robotics is building production-grade robotic manipulation systems that embed intelligent inspection directly into active manufacturing environments. In this role, you will architect and develop ROS2-based control, perception, and motion planning systems for 6-axis articulated manipulators operating in real-world industrial settings. These robotic systems integrate a wide range of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods and sensing and optimize inspection throughput, improve product quality, and enable better downstream manufacturing decisions.

Given the work you'll be doing on some of our impactful government projects, you must also be eligible for a US clearance.

What you will do

  • Architect and evolve Gecko’s ROS2-based control framework and planning systems for articulated manipulators

  • Develop perception-driven motion planning using visual and other sensor inputs

  • Design closed-loop inspect → analyze → rework workflows

  • Optimize robotic inspection throughput within active manufacturing lines

  • Own system-level integration between robot control stack, industrial hardware and Gecko’s inspection software

  • Support system deployment and validation in production environments

Technologies We Use

Our robotic systems are currently built on a ROS2 framework and integrate motion planning from MoveIt for brand agnostic control of 6-axis articulated manipulators.

  • Core stack: ROS2, Python, C++

  • Planning & simulation: MoveIt, RoboDK, Roboguide, RobotStudio

  • Hardware platforms: Fanuc CRX, ABB industrial manipulators

  • Both off the shelf sensors and custom design sensing payloads for NDT

About You

Required Skills

  • 5+ years experience developing production robotics software in C++ and/or Python

  • Strong experience with ROS2-based robotic systems

  • Experience with motion planning frameworks (MoveIt2)

  • Experience integrating perception systems (vision, 3D sensors) into robotic workflows

  • Ability to work across software and hardware boundaries in industrial environments

Preferred Skills

  • Experience programming industrial 6-axis articulated robots (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa)

  • Familiarity with PLCs and industrial communication protocols

About Gecko Robotics

Gecko Robotics

Gecko Robotics is a Pittsburgh-based technology company specializing in AI-driven robotics for the inspection, maintenance, and modernization of critical infrastructure across defense, energy, and industrial sectors. Founded in 2013, the company has grown into a leading player in the defense technology ecosystem, achieving unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. Its solutions are deployed across U.S. military platforms, including naval vessels, aircraft, and strategic infrastructure.

The company’s core offering combines advanced robotic systems—capable of climbing, flying, and operating in hazardous environments—with its proprietary AI-powered software platform, Cantilever. This platform aggregates high-fidelity data collected from physical assets and transforms it into actionable insights, enabling predictive maintenance, lifecycle management, and improved operational readiness.

Within the defense sector, Gecko Robotics supports modernization and sustainment efforts across the U.S. Navy and Air Force by reducing inspection timelines, improving maintenance accuracy, and increasing equipment availability. Its technology is designed to replace manual, time-intensive inspection processes with scalable, data-driven approaches that enhance mission readiness and reduce downtime across complex systems.

Gecko Robotics operates at the intersection of software, robotics, and national security, contributing to the broader effort to modernize the U.S. defense industrial base. By delivering real-time visibility into asset health and enabling more efficient production and sustainment workflows, the company plays a growing role in advancing resilient infrastructure and supporting next-generation defense capabilities.

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