Lead software engineer Jobs in Pasadena, CA

Overview

Octavian Robotics is solving the #1 complication in the $3T surgical industry. We are building robots for the sterilization of surgical tools. Only now with generalized robotics models have we been able to tackle this problem and save lives.

This company is a spin-out from Sorting Robotics and we are inheriting a decade of robotics infrastructure and know-how. We are hiring the Cognizant Engineer (CogE) to own our flagship: a VLA-powered (Vision-Language-Action) gripping and manipulation system for surgical instruments. You will lead this product from the rig on the bench to machines running inside hospital Sterile Processing Departments, and you will own its technical success end to end.

This is a hands-on technical leadership seat. You will design the end-effector and mechatronics, integrate vision and force and tactile sensing into a 6DOF arm, and operationalize learned manipulation policies (VLA models) so the system reliably grips, sorts, and handles surgical instruments in the real world. You work directly with the founders. Expect to learn a lot fast, hit days where nothing works, and ship a product that saves lives in a room full of people who appreciate you.

What you will own

• Own the VLA gripping and manipulation system cradle to grave: concept, design, build, bring-up, deployment, and field reliability. You are accountable for its technical success.
• Design the gripper and mechatronics: end-effector design, actuation, GD&T drawings, mass, cost and manufacturability tradeoffs, rapid prototyping (3D print, laser, CNC, PCB), and production-ready designs.
• Integrate perception and sensing into the manipulation loop: cameras and vision, force, torque and tactile feedback, and the 6DOF arm.
• Operationalize VLA and learned manipulation policies: stand up the data pipeline (teleop and demonstration collection), wire policy inference into real-time control, evaluate grasp and handling success, and close the sim-to-real and on-robot iteration loop.
• Optimize with modeling and test: analytical and physical simulation, then validate on hardware.
• Interface with suppliers to build supply chain and vendor qualification for manufacturing feasibility, validation, and assigned commodities; deliver world-class fit, finish, and craftsmanship for launch.
• Support deployment: help assemble and install systems at hospital sites as needed. Travel is approximately 1 to 5 percent.

Ideal candidate skills

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Robotics (M.S. a plus).
• Real experience taking a robotic system from concept to delivery on an R&D team.
• Manipulation and gripping experience: end-effector or gripper design, grasping, pick-and-place, or assembly automation.
• 6DOF and cobot arm integration, including low-level programming and motion control.
• Comfortable at the hardware and ML boundary: you do not have to train VLA models from scratch, but you can integrate learned policies, run inference on a robot, collect and curate demonstration data, and debug why a policy fails on real hardware. Familiarity with modern manipulation stacks (ROS or ROS 2, OpenVLA or pi-0 style policies, RT-style models, imitation learning, sim-to-real) is a strong plus.
• Strong Python; working knowledge of real-time or embedded control.
• Fluent with prototyping tools: CAD, 3D printing, laser cutter, CNC, PCB.
• Takes initiative across whatever the company needs to win. Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or similar.
• Strong understanding of AI tools. We're looking for an "AI native" engineer.
• Technical depth in robotics, automation, or a related field; has shipped from concept to delivery.
• Demonstrated work on 6DOF or similar cobot arms.
• Working knowledge of Python or a similar language.
• Minimum 10 years of full-time on the job experience.
• Bonus: hands-on with manipulation or grasping, or with learned policies (VLA, imitation learning, ROS).
• Not currently enrolled in a college or graduate program.
• Free to work without visa sponsorship.
• On-site in Van Nuys or Los Angeles (reliable commute or willing to relocate). Some travel to hospital sites will be required.

Benefits

• $170,000 - $190,000 per year full-time salary.
• 401(k), health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account, paid time off, parental leave.
• Schedule: 12-hour shift, Monday - Saturday. This job is not for the weak of heart.
• In person, Van Nuys or Los Angeles, CA. Relocation package available.