Senior Robotics Software Engineer

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Software Engineer to develop the software infrastructure connecting our robotic hardware with control, planning, and clinical applications. You'll lead hardware bring-up, integrate motors and sensors, and troubleshoot issues across hardware, firmware, and software.

This is a hands-on role for an engineer with experience in robotics software, controls, motion planning, or mechatronics who enjoys working close to the hardware and building reliable, production-ready systems.

• Lead robot hardware bring-up, from initial power-on to safe, repeatable operation.
• Develop robotics infrastructure, including hardware abstraction layers, device drivers, real-time control loops, logging, and diagnostics.
• Integrate motor drives, encoders, force and position sensors, and other peripherals.
• Support motor control, joint tuning, and the transition from prototypes to production-ready software.
• Contribute to kinematics, motion planning, and control features.
• Build calibration, characterization, and hardware testing tools.
• Debug issues across hardware, firmware, operating systems, and application software using software and laboratory tools.
• Write reliable, high-performance C++ and Python code that meets real-time requirements.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems engineers to define interfaces and requirements.
• Document designs, participate in technical reviews, and support verification and validation for regulatory submissions.

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience developing software for robots or electromechanical systems.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Experience bringing up hardware or developing software that controls physical systems.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with motors, encoders, sensors, or embedded
• controllers.
• Working knowledge of communication protocols such as EtherCAT, CAN, SPI, I2C,
• UART, or Ethernet.
• Understanding of operating systems, concurrency, and real-time system constraints.
• Strong debugging skills across hardware, firmware, and software.
• Ability to communicate technical tradeoffs, collaborate across disciplines, and own
• problems end-to-end.

• Experience in controls, motion planning, kinematics, or mechatronics.
• Motor control experience, including current, velocity, or position loops, commutation, or
• drive tuning.
• Robotics software experience, including ROS/ROS2.
• Embedded software or firmware experience with microcontrollers, RTOS, or real-time Linux.
• Experience taking robots or electromechanical products from prototype to production.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing or automated hardware test systems.
• Medical device or safety-critical systems experience, including IEC 62304 or ISO 14971.
• Experience across multiple software technologies and the ability to learn new tools quickly.

Workplace Type: Hybrid — onsite 3–4 days per week across Santa Cruz and West Menlo Park,with at least one day per week in Santa Cruz

About Capstan Medical

Capstan Medical is developing a first-of-its-kind robotic platform for minimally invasive heart valve treatment. By combining surgical robotics, catheter-based delivery, and next-generation implants, we're working to make complex procedures safer and more effective for patients and clinicians.

We're a collaborative, hands-on team that moves quickly, takes ownership, and values ideas from every team member.

Why Join Us

• We offer a fun, hands-on, fast-paced, collaborative environment where you will be working on transformational technologies in the cardiac healthcare space.
• We offer projects and training to continue your learning and technical growth.
• We offer outstanding benefits with medical, dental, and vision covered at 100% for you and your family, as well as flex time off.
• We thrive in our work-hard, play-hard environment. Bring your bike or running shoes if you’d like or just be ready to enjoy a fun office outing. We enjoy time inside the office and out!