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Graphcore, part of the SoftBank Group, is a leading innovator in AI compute hardware and infrastructure. The Staff Robotics Engineer will provide technical leadership for the design, integration, validation, and deployment of robotic automation systems for data center operations.
Reporting to the Director of Automation, you will work with internal Graphcore teams, SoftBank Robotics, SoftBank Group affiliates, and external technology partners to transition R&D concepts into scalable, production-ready robotic capabilities. Example systems include robotic manipulation, material transport, inspection, rack/server handling, autonomous mobile robots, and other automation solutions for data center operations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Operating with high autonomy to define technical direction for complex robotics automation problems, influence partner roadmaps, and establish engineering standards for scalable deployment
- Aligning robotics, data center, internal engineering, SoftBank Group, and third-party partner teams to provide scalable autonomy capabilities
- Guiding and mentoring SoftBank Group engineers and third-party partners without direct people management, elevating technical judgment and mechatronics best practices
- Contributing to technical planning, estimation, and delivery of key project milestones
- Establishing or executing verification and validation processes including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, FAT/SAT, site validation, and field deployment
- Supporting troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across software, controls, mechanical, and electrical systems
- Iterating on end effectors, hardware interfaces, and robotic subsystems with partners
- Building scalable software infrastructure, device management systems, and fleet coordination protocols
- Leading the transition of R&D feasibility studies into production-ready integrated systems
- Evaluating emerging technologies and methodologies to improve robotics capabilities
- Producing clear technical documentation and communicating engineering decisions to diverse stakeholders
The role is based in Austin and may require periodic travel to partner, manufacturing, lab, or deployment sites, including occasional collaboration across APAC time zones.
REQUIREMENTS:
Essential:
- Experience in automation or equipment engineering with focus on mechatronic subsystems and modular machine design
- Experience taking robotic or automated systems from prototype/R&D into production or field deployment
- Experience with material handling systems, automated equipment, or productionized robotic solutions
- Familiarity with 3D localization or VLM-based object detection (perception/segmentation)
- Experience conducting FAT/SAT validation and managing technical deliverables with partners and manufacturers
- Proven ability to debug full-stack systems: PLC logic, high-level code (C# or Python), and complex mechanical/electrical hardware
- Experience with robotics frameworks and middleware such as ROS/ROS 2 and IsaacSIM for modeling robotic interactions and path planning
- Strong understanding of robotics fundamentals including perception, localization, mapping, planning, or control
- Ability to lead technical initiatives and influence engineering direction through expertise and collaboration
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
- Degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Mathematics, or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
Desirable:
- Experience applying machine learning or AI techniques within robotics systems
- Experience with simulation environments and digital twin technologies
- Knowledge of computer vision, sensor fusion, or reinforcement learning techniques
- Experience deploying robotics applications to cloud, edge, or embedded environments
- Familiarity with GPU acceleration, high-performance computing, or AI infrastructure
- Experience contributing to open-source robotics projects or technical communities
- Experience working in research-intensive or advanced technology environments
