Staff Control Software Engineer

Job Description Reports to: Head of Software & Controls Workplace Type: Hybrid (onsite in Santa Cruz 3 days/week) Overview:Join Us in Revolutionizing Cardiac Care from Beautiful Santa Cruz Imagine building life-saving robotics technology while being minutes from world-class surf breaks and redwood forests. We're developing a groundbreaking robotic platform that gives surgeons superhuman precision in transcatheter valve deployment – and we need an exceptional Staff Robotics Software Engineer to help us push the boundaries of what's possible in medical robotics. You'll be architecting and implementing the real-time software that translates a surgeon's intent into precise robotic motion, working at the intersection of advanced robotics, real-time systems, and life-critical medical devices. This isn't just another robotics job – you're building systems where milliseconds matter and reliability saves lives.What You'll Do:Design and implement high-performance C++ software for real-time robotic control systems, with direct responsibility for actuator control, bring-up, and testingArchitect and develop EtherCAT-based distributed control systems for multi-axis robotic coordinationLeverage DDS (Data Distribution Service) and modern middleware for reliable, low-latency inter-process communication in complex robotic systemsOptimize real-time performance in safety-critical contexts, ensuring deterministic behavior under all operating conditionsLead motor controller integration, from low-level driver development to application-level software and state machinesTranslate clinical and user needs into design requirements. Develop software designs, implement designs into testable prototypes, and bring these features to product launchDevelop real time and/or non-real time software, creating features and infrastructure that supports safe and effective proceduresAlign individual work to best support company goals. Identifying high risk items and being part of developing solutionsDocument and communicate your work through design reviews and as appropriate released documents as part of the product development processIdentify gaps and pitch in as needed to ensure that the team meets their goals and objectivesSkills:Expert C++ proficiency with deep understanding of modern C++ (14/17/20) in production systemsProven experience with actuator control including bring-up, characterization, and testingMotor controller and encoder integration expertiseEtherCAT implementation experience for real-time distributed controlDeep expertise with DDS and middleware systems – you understand QoS policies, discovery protocols, and have optimized publish-subscribe architectures for real-time performanceReal-time systems expertise – you understand priority inversion, jitter, and deterministic schedulingMedical robotics or safety-critical systems background – you know why "it works most of the time" isn't good enoughStrong background in object-oriented design and programming, with the ability to create new designs or improve existing ones to ensure clear separation of concernsUnderstanding of how early design decisions cascade into outcomes later. Ability to make smart decisions regarding clinical workflow, regulations, and risk management to save time and effort laterStrongly Preferred:ROS1 or ROS2 experience – you've built production systems with ROS and understand its real-time capabilitiesPython experienceDeveloping software that runs on Linux systemsKnowledge of regulatory standards (FDA, CE Mark)Low-latency image/video streaming and GUI integrationRequirements:Experience & Background:BS/MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent8+ years of hands-on development in robotics or embedded systemsTrack record of shipping complex robotic systems to productionExperience navigating ambiguity while delivering concrete resultsExperience with designing, testing, and shipping software for medical device capital equipment or similar safety critical systemsExperience with medical device development process, design control, risk management, design verification, and regulatory processes, or experience with similar safety critical system development processesAbility to work in a hybrid work environment, working onsite 3 days a week, at our Santa Cruz, CA office. In the future, there will be an option to work one day from our satellite office in Los Altos, CA.We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, and disability, or other legally protected status.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.