Backend Engineer - Robotics Software Architecture

About Us
At Pickle Robot, we're on a mission to automate global supply chains with Physical AI. Our robots work alongside warehouse teams to unload trucks and containers — one of the toughest, most understaffed jobs in logistics — making the work safer, faster, and more efficient for the people doing it. Next is loading trucks, followed by the Dill Autonomy Engine: generalized autonomy that will eventually orchestrate robots across entire logistics processes.
We’re looking for a Backend Engineer to join our Software Architecture team and build the systems that enable robots to operate reliably in the real world. You’ll work at the intersection of backend engineering, software architecture, and robotics — designing scalable services that support task planning, autonomy, and real robotic workflows on the warehouse floor. This is an opportunity to apply strong software engineering practices to systems where your work directly interacts with the physical world and the hardware running it.

What You'll Do

• Design and build backend services supporting task planning and autonomy
• Develop scalable, reliable, high-performance systems in Python (and C++ where needed).
• Contribute to system architecture and service design within the team
• Help architect how data flows through the system — how it's stored, moved, and ultimately consumed
• Design architectural solutions and develop scalable, reliable, and performant systems (Python and/or C++) that stay maintainable over the long term
• Collaborate closely with robotics engineers to integrate backend systems with real-world workflows
• Build and maintain event-driven systems and messaging-based architectures
• Improve system performance, reliability, and maintainability across services
• Participate in code reviews and technical discussions to elevate engineering standards
• Share knowledge across the team and elevate engineering standards through code reviews and technical discussions

What You'll Bring

• 3-5+ years of experience in backend or robotics engineering
• Strong programming experience in Python
• Strong understanding of software architecture, concurrency, and distributed system design specifically related to robotics or adjacent fields (e.g. medical devices, or other systems that require Hardware <> Software integration)
• Proficiency in at least one other strongly typed language — C++ preferred, though others used in robotics (e.g., Rust, Go, Java) are welcome
• Experience building or supporting event-driven systems, messaging frameworks, or service-oriented architectures
• A clear communicator who can work independently and help teammates grow

Standout candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Experience with real-time systems
• Experience managing large volumes of data
• Deep knowledge of robotics middleware (e.g., ROS, Zenoh, DDS)
• Deep knowledge of GPUs (CUDA, warp)

Pay at Pickle
At Pickle Robot Company, we believe transparency builds trust. The salary range listed here is provided in accordance with Massachusetts law and reflects what we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role. We often consider candidates at different levels of seniority, and final compensation will reflect the level at which a candidate is hired, along with factors like experience and location.

Pickle Perks
Pickle provides best-in-class benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; unlimited vacation; paid federal and state holidays; 401(k) contributions of 5% of your salary; company-covered travel expenses; and other perks to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive.