Job Description

Principal Systems Architect

Pickle is seeking a visionary and hands-on Principal Software Architect to lead the architectural strategy and design of our robotic systems. You will be responsible for defining and evolving the core software infrastructure that powers Pickle's next-generation autonomous unloading robots, working at the intersection of robotics, real-time systems, AI, and scalable deployment. This role is ideal for someone with deep experience in robotics systems design, who can balance technical vision with pragmatic execution, and thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

What You'll Accomplish:

• Architect and evolve Pickle's robot software platform, ensuring modularity, scalability, and maintainability.
• Define and implement robust communication frameworks (e.g. ROS2, DDS, custom protocols) across perception, control, and actuation pipelines.
• Lead software system integration across hardware, embedded controls, cloud services, and operator interfaces.
• Design for real-time performance, fault tolerance, and reliability in production environments.
• Collaborate closely with engineering leadership to ensure the architecture supports fleet-level orchestration, edge-cloud interoperability, and continuous deployment.
• Drive technical decisions on software toolchains, build systems, CI/CD pipelines, and developer workflows.
• Provide technical mentorship and code-level guidance to software and robotics teams.
• Own long-term software architectural strategy and contribute to system-level product roadmap decisions

Who You Are:

• 10+ years in software engineering with at least 5+ years in robotics systems or autonomous systems.
• Deep experience in designing and scaling complex software systems for real-time robotics applications.
• Proven leadership in shipping production-grade robotics platforms in manufacturing, logistics, autonomous vehicles, or related domains.
• Strong grasp of robotics architecture patterns: real-time control loops, sensor fusion, SLAM, and distributed systems.
• Expertise in C++, Python, and system-level development (RTOS, Linux, embedded Linux). Extensive experience with ROS2, DDS, and real-time communication protocols.
• Strong background in systems architecture, software abstraction layers, and interface design.
• Familiar with cloud infrastructure (e.g., Google cloud, AWS, Azure) and edge-device orchestration.
• Experience with software reliability engineering, including logging, telemetry, debugging, and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience with AI/ML systems integration into real-time robotic applications.
• Hands-on experience scaling robot fleets in industrial or warehouse environments.
• Familiarity with safety standards (e.g., ISO 10218, IEC 61508) and compliance in robotic deployments.
• Contributions to open-source robotics software or published research in robotic software architecture.
• Systems-level thinker who thrives on solving cross-disciplinary problems.
• Passionate about elegant software design in complex physical systems.
• Collaborative, communicative, and energized by leading a tight-knit team of expert engineers.
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity in an R&D-focused environment.
• Willing and able to work from our Cambridge/Charlestown, MA office at least three times per week.

Pickle Robot is a pioneer in Physical AI for supply chain applications. Today Pickle robots autonomously unload trucks, trailers, and import containers at human-scale or better performance. The alternative is manual work that is difficult, dirty, sometimes dangerous, and increasingly hard to staff at distribution centers around the globe. Pickle Robot is laser focused on automating truck unloading using generative AI, machine learning, computer vision, advanced sensors, and industrial robotics to deliver engineered products customers rely on. Pickle Robot Unload Systems work alongside people on loading docks to make the work safer, faster, and more efficient. Pickle robots are physical AI that unload trucks.

Pickle provides best-in-class benefits including health, dental, & vision insurance; unlimited vacation, along with all federal and state holidays; 401K contributions of 5% your salary, travel supplies, and other items to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive.

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