Robotics Engineer I/II

Your Impact at Lila

We're seeking a fearless robotics engineer who thrives at the intersection of robotic motion control and rapid problem-solving. You'll integrate multi-axis arms into our lab automation workflows, debug the motion planning issues that break experiments, and champion new robotic solutions when the standard approach won't cut it. This role is 50% programming simple interfaces to robots, 50% working with them daily. One day you're optimizing pick-and-place sequences on our PF400, the next you're evaluating whether a different arm architecture solves a unique constraint faster than hacking the existing setup. While this role is titled Robotics Engineer, we need someone who jumps into any engineering challenge that arises—we'll push you to grow across the full engineering stack as the team and product evolve.

What You'll Be Building

• Integrate and program robotic arms for lab automation—PF400 and other platforms, whatever solves the problem fastest
• Design motion sequences that work in production—collision avoidance, path planning, speed versus precision tradeoffs
• Debug robotic failures in the real world—calibration drift, repeatability issues, mechanical wear, software timing problems
• Evaluate and deploy new robotic solutions quickly—champion the right arm for unique problems when needed
• Work across the stack—from low-level motion control to high-level orchestration with other lab equipment

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Undergraduate degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
• Hands-on experience with multi-axis robotic arms—you've programmed them, debugged them, know their failure modes
• Understanding of kinematics, motion planning, and coordinate transforms—you know why singularities ruin your day
• Programming skills: Python, C/C++, or similar for motion control code and integration with automation systems
• Self-motivated problem solver who doesn't wait for vendor support—you figure things out and move forward

Bonus Points For

• Robotic Arms: Programming and integrating multi-axis systems (SCARA, 6-axis, collaborative robots)—ideally PF400 or similar
• Motion Control: Kinematics, path planning, trajectory generation, coordinate systems, joint versus Cartesian space
• Programming: Python for orchestration, C/C++ for real-time control, communication protocols (Modbus, TCP/IP, serial)
• Mechanical Systems: Reading drawings, understanding precision versus repeatability, diagnosing mechanical failures
• Debugging: Methodical troubleshooting from "the robot won't move" to "ship it"

About Lila

Lila Sciences is the world’s first scientific superintelligence platform and autonomous lab for life, chemistry, and materials science. We are pioneering a new age of boundless discovery by building the capabilities to apply AI to every aspect of the scientific method. We are introducing scientific superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges, enabling scientists to bring forth solutions in human health, climate, and sustainability at a pace and scale never experienced before. Learn more about this mission at www.lila.ai

If this sounds like an environment you’d love to work in, even if you only have some of the experience listed below, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation

We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $76,000–$125,000 USD per year, along with bonus potential and generous early equity. The final offer will reflect your unique background, expertise, and impact.

We’re All In

Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

A Note to Agencies

Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.