Senior Robotics SDE, Safe Autonomy, Compass

We are seeking a robotics Software Dev Engineer to join this role you will own the integration of the Compass software into various platforms including mobile robots mobile manipulators and legged robots. You will interface with motion planning sensing and perception and safety firmware and create abstractions that enable the Compass software to be easily deployed across millions of robots.

Key job responsibilities
Design implement and maintain the software integration layer that enables Compass safety modules to interface with diverse robot platforms (mobile robots manipulators dynamically stable robots)
Build robust abstractions and APIs that decouple safety logic from platform-specific hardware enabling rapid deployment across new robot form factors
Collaborate with motion planning perception and controls teams to ensure seamless data flow and real-time performance between safety systems and autonomy stacks
Develop and maintain interfaces to safety-rated firmware and hardware ensuring compliance with functional safety requirements
Architect scalable production-grade software that can operate reliably across millions of deployed robots
Write high-quality well-tested and maintainable code in C and/or Python for real-time robotics applications
Define integration testing strategies and build simulation-based validation pipelines to verify safety behavior across platforms
Contribute to system design reviews technical documentation and cross-team alignment on interface contracts
Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in real-time safety-critical software paths
Mentor junior engineers and raise the bar on software engineering practices within the team



A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location the number of regularly scheduled hours you work length of employment and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular full-time employees include:

1. Medical Dental and Vision Coverage
2. Maternity and Parental Leave Options
3. Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 401(k) Plan

If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly wed still love to hear from you! At Amazon we value people with unique backgrounds experiences and skillsets. If youre passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale please apply!

About the team
Work with the inventors of control barrier functions on a novel universal approach to safe autonomy: one that scales across mobile robots manipulators mobile manipulators and future robot platforms with dynamic stability. Youll push the boundary of safe performance by integrating safety with motion planning RL and foundation models ensuring that safety is never a blocker to robot performance. Your work will underpin robots operating alongside people at Amazons unprecedented scale.

- 5 years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 5 years of programming with at least one software programming language experience
- 5 years of leading design or architecture (design patterns reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience as a mentor tech lead or leading an engineering team
- Proficiency in C Rust and/or Python with experience writing production-quality code for real-time systems
- Experience developing software for robotic systems embedded platforms or safety-critical applications
- Familiarity with robotics middleware (e.g. ROS/ROS2) and real-time communication frameworks
- Experience designing software abstractions APIs or hardware abstraction layers for multi-platform deployment
- Strong understanding of software engineering best practices including version control CI/CD code review and testing

- 5 years of full software development life cycle including coding standards code reviews source control management build processes testing and operations experience
- Masters or PhD in Robotics Computer Science Controls or a related field
- Experience integrating software with motion planners perception pipelines or control systems on physical robots
- Familiarity with control barrier functions safety-critical control or formal safety verification methods
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or safety-rated firmware interfaces (e.g. IEC 61508 ISO 13849)
- Hands-on experience with multiple robot morphologies (mobile bases arms legged platforms)
- Experience with reinforcement learning or foundation model deployment on robotic systems
- Track record of building software that scales from prototype to fleet-level production
- Familiarity with simulation environments for robotics
- Strong communication skills and experience working in cross-functional research-adjacent teams

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status disability or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees supervisors and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees supervisors and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal state and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct adverse and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies exercise sound judgment effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism and safeguard business operations and the Companys reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process including support for the interview or onboarding process please visit for more information. If the country/region youre applying in isnt listed please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience qualifications and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical dental vision prescription Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans EAP Mental Health Support Medical Advice Line Flexible Spending Accounts Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage) 401(k) matching paid time off and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at CA PASADENA - 168100.00 - 227400.00 USD annually