Senior Robotics Engineering Manager - Navigation

Job Title: Senior Robotics Engineering Manager
Department: Software Engineering
Job Level: L5
FLSA: Exempt

Job Summary:

The Robotic Navigation Engineering Manager leads the team responsible for real-time robot navigation and motion planning. This role combines strong people leadership with deep technical experience in mobile robotics. You will manage team bandwidth, set priorities in partnership with Directors and TPMs, and ensure delivery of reliable, scalable navigation systems across multiple product platforms.

People & Execution

• Own team capacity, staffing, and work allocation.
• Set quarterly goals and engineering commitments in coordination with Directors and TPMs.
• Provide clear prioritization and tradeoff decisions for incoming requests.
• Drive execution quality, schedule predictability, and cross-team alignment.
• Support career growth, performance reviews, hiring, and onboarding.
  

Technical Oversight

• Ensure the technical health of the navigation stack.
• Partner with TLs to review designs, interfaces, and long-term architecture.
• Identify risks early and escalate when strategic decisions are required.
• Maintain high standards for testing, simulation, and reliability in real-world deployments.
  

Cross-Functional

• Work closely with product, TPM, systems engineering, localization, and CV/ML teams.
• Evaluate navigation-related product requirements and translate them into achievable engineering plans.
• Communicate system constraints and technical tradeoffs effectively to leadership.
  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Required Skills/Abilities/Qualifications: 

• Strong background in mobile robot navigation: path planning, controls, or sensor fusion.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as C++ or Python.
• Deep understanding of robotics principles, algorithms, and frameworks.
• Proficiency in robotic simulation environments and tools.
• Knowledge of computer vision, machine learning, and control theory concepts as they apply to robotics.
• Solid understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, and best practices.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Proven track record of delivering complex robotics projects.
• Passion for robotics and a drive to push the boundaries of the field.

Preferred Skills/Abilities/Qualifications: 

• Experience in robotics, real-time systems, computer vision, or AI/ML.
• Familiarity with startup environments and the ability to thrive in rapid iteration cycles.
• Experience with ROS/ROS2, C++, Python, simulation frameworks, and multi-robot systems is a plus.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related data-centric discipline.
• Master's degree preferred
  
• 5+ years of experience in robotics or autonomous systems.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer. The employee routinely is required to sit; stand, walk; talk and hear; use hands to keyboard
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs. 
  

The pay range for this position is $170K-$200K. Pay is dependent on the applicant's relevant experience.

Bear Robotics, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.