Agility Robotics is a pioneer. Our robot, Digit, is the first to be sold into workplaces across the globe. Our team is differentiated by its expertise in imagining, engineering, and delivering robots with advanced mobility, dexterity, intelligence, and efficiency -- robots specifically designed to work alongside people, in spaces built for people. Every day, we break through engineering challenges and invent new solutions and capabilities that will one day make robots commonplace and approachable. This work is our passion and our responsibility: our mission is to make businesses more productive and people’s lives more fulfilling.
Agility Robotics is at the forefront of developing humanoid robots designed to operate in real-world environments. Our mission is to build robots that seamlessly integrate into human workflows, solving complex challenges in logistics, manufacturing, and beyond. As we scale, we are looking for a Staff Systems Engineer to strengthen our Systems Engineering team—ensuring structured, scalable development processes while maintaining the agility and execution speed required in a fast-paced startup environment.
LocationThis position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Regular travel to our Salem headquarters, typically 1 week per month, will be required.
About the RoleAs a Staff Systems Engineer at Agility Robotics, you'll drive system-level architecture and integration for our humanoid robot platform while taking ownership of critical subsystems from requirements through production delivery. Working within a high-impact Systems Engineering team, you'll serve as the technical anchor coordinating mechanical, electrical, software, and product teams to ensure integrated subsystem delivery—bringing clarity and structure to complex systems while maintaining speed of execution.
This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who thrives in ambiguity, demonstrates systems thinking, and has a passion for building real systems fast. You'll be accountable for subsystem outcomes—not just requirements documentation—driving cross-functional execution and resolving dependencies through sound technical analysis and systems-level thinking.
Key ResponsibilitiesSubsystem Ownership & Delivery- Own end-to-end delivery of assigned critical subsystems (e.g., legs, torso, head, arms, functional safety, software subsystem ) from requirements through production readiness
- Coordinate cross-functional execution across Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software, Controls, and Product teams to drive subsystem integration and delivery
- Identify and resolve cross-subsystem dependencies through sound technical analysis and systems-level thinking, preventing blockers before they impact delivery
- Drive critical technical decisions for your subsystem, balancing performance, safety, cost, and schedule constraints with clear engineering rationale
- Serve as the single point of accountability for subsystem requirements, interfaces, integration, and delivery milestones
- Lead trade studies and technical assessments to resolve conflicting requirements or resource constraints across disciplines
- Anticipate integration risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies in partnership with other subsystem owners and cross-functional teams
- Define and document system and subsystem architectures spanning mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software domains
- Drive system-level trade studies and architecture decisions with focus on simplicity, performance, cost, and execution speed
- Own technical decision-making for your subsystem's architecture and its interfaces with adjacent subsystems
- Own system-level requirements for your subsystem through their full lifecycle—writing, decomposing, validating, and driving execution
- Maintain rigorous traceability while enabling development velocity
- Drive requirements alignment across ME, EE, Software, and Product organizations
- Ensure subsystem designs meet industry standards and regulatory requirements
- Lead functional safety analysis for your subsystem including hazard analysis, risk assessment, and safety case development
- Drive compliance activities for manufacturing, warehousing, and operational environments
- Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for your subsystem and its critical interfaces
- Anticipate and resolve integration issues early through proactive systems thinking
- Own the resolution of cross-functional blockers through technical analysis, stakeholder alignment, and sound engineering judgment—not escalation
- Identify and eliminate operational inefficiencies through systematic analysis of field performance data, customer workflows, and deployment scenarios
- Implement design improvements that directly enhance system reliability, maintainability, and performance
- Use field data and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement in your subsystem
- Actively lead design reviews, integration efforts, and root cause investigations for your owned subsystems
- Identify technical risks across your subsystem and its interfaces, lead trade studies, and influence decisions from a systems-level viewpoint
- Own the resolution of cross-functional blockers and dependencies through technical analysis and collaboration
- Be hands-on when needed—dig into design files, test data, or tooling to make progress and unblock your teams
- Mentor junior systems engineers on subsystem ownership, technical problem-solving, and systems thinking
- Proactively analyze customer deployment scenarios, field feedback, and operational data to identify and solve system-level issues before they impact production or customers
- Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for field issues affecting your subsystem
- Ensure learnings from deployment are incorporated into requirements and design improvements
- 8+ years of Systems Engineering experience in robotics, aerospace, automotive, or similar multidisciplinary hardware/software systems
- Demonstrated experience owning and delivering complex subsystems in cross-functional environments
- Proven track record leading technical coordination across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines
- Experience in fast-paced environments requiring self-direction, bias for action, and technical leadership
- Strong proficiency with V-model systems engineering approaches, adapted for rapid development
- Expert-level requirements authoring, traceability management, and interface definition
- Subsystem-level technical depth: Deep understanding in at least one robotics domain (actuation, sensing, controls, manipulation, locomotion) to engage credibly with specialist engineers
- Compliance and standards expertise: Knowledge of relevant industry standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508, ANSI/RIA R15.06, or similar) and regulatory frameworks for robotics systems in manufacturing/warehousing environments
- Functional safety experience: Demonstrated ability to conduct hazard analysis, risk assessment, and safety case development. Experience with safety lifecycle processes and safety-critical system design
- Experience collaborating with Test Engineering on system-level validation strategies
- Proficiency with systems engineering tools (requirements management, modeling, etc.)
- Operational efficiency analysis: Proven track record of identifying inefficiencies in complex systems and implementing measurable improvements to performance, reliability, and maintainability
Full-time Employees are eligible for Benefits:
- 401(k) Plan: Includes a 6% company match.
- Equity: Company stock options.
- Insurance Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long-term disability insurance for employees.
- Benefit Start Date: Eligible for benefits on your first day of employment.
- Well-Being Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Time Off:
- Exempt Employees: Flexible, unlimited PTO and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown.
- Non-Exempt Employees: 10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually.
- On-Site Perks: Catered lunches four times a week and a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations.
- Parental Leave: Generous paid parental leave programs.
- Work Environment: A culture that supports flexible work arrangements.
- Growth Opportunities: Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.
- Relocation Assistance: Provided for eligible roles.
All of our roles are U.S.-based. Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States.
Agility Robotics is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits unlawful discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, it is the policy of Agility Robotics to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Agility Robotics prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.
Agility Robotics does not accept unsolicited referrals from third-party recruiting agencies. We prioritize direct applicants and encourage all qualified candidates to apply directly through our careers page. If you are represented by a third party, your application may not be considered. To ensure full consideration, please apply directly.
Apply Now: https://grnh.se/b444bbd04us
