Applications Programming Manager jobs in San Diego, CA

Brain Corp is a San Diego, California, USA-based AI company creating transformative core technology for the robotics industry. Our purpose is to create autonomous technology that helps the real world work better. Brain's robotic and AI solutions help retailers ensure that the right product is on the right shelf at the right price, in a clean environment. Through the BrainOS® Robotics Platform, which powers the largest global fleet of the Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in operation in commercial public spaces, Brain Corp delivers insightful and efficient automated solutions in both commercial floor cleaning and inventory management, empowering organizations and their employees to achieve more. Brain Corp currently powers more than 30,000 AMRs, representing the largest fleet of its kind in the world. Brain Corp is funded by the SoftBank Vision Fund, Clearbridge, and Qualcomm Ventures.

Position Summary:

Are you passionate about working on cutting edge technology? Do you want to lead a team that is at the forefront of developing innovative robotic solutions for real-world applications? Imagine robots working alongside humans in grocery stores, big box retailers, and large warehouses, not just complementing but enhancing their operations. At Brain Corp, you will have the opportunity to make robotics a reality and change people’s lives. Today, our robots autonomously clean and sweep floors as well as scan shelves for missing products. Tomorrow, our robots will navigate more efficiently and learn quicker while requiring no human assistance.

Brain Corp is committed to fostering a vibrant work culture that supports innovation and employee well-being. Some of our initiatives include the We-R program to empower women in robotics, comprehensive diversity and inclusion efforts with paid parental leave, and a range of recreational activities to promote work-life balance and community among our team.

In this Software Engineering Manager position, your primary responsibilities include overseeing the maintenance of our existing 30,000 floor scrubbing and compact sweeping robots and leading a team responsible for developing the next generation of our fleet. Your role is to ensure our current robots consistently meet cleaning challenges with efficiency and to spearhead the creation of new robot platforms. These platforms should cater to our customers' growing needs for automation, featuring less human assistance, enhanced navigation, and superior overall performance, ensuring they uphold our high standards of functionality and user experience.

Essential Job Functions:

• Lead a team of talented engineers in developing robust software applications for our robots, ensuring seamless integration with Firmware, Autonomy, and Cloud services
• Manage the project lifecycle, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to the dynamic nature of new projects, including unexpected demands and feature requests
• Lead efforts to explore new technologies and methodologies to enhance robot functionality and performance
• Analyze product requirements to define, prioritize, and scope tasks for development
• Embed safety principles in the software development lifecycle, ensuring all software work adheres to the highest safety standards
• Share technical knowledge and software architecture effectively through detailed documentation and clear presentations
• Promote the growth and development of team members, aligning their skills and potential with the team's objectives and growth opportunities

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: 

• BS or MS in Computer Science or related engineering discipline
• 2-3 years of experience leading development teams or managing cross-disciplinary teams
• 5 years of demonstrated experience in software development
• Good leadership and project management skills with a proven track record of developing and shipping production systems

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics: 

• Technical expertise in software engineering, preferably with a focus on robotics or applications
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability, able to navigate and thrive in fast-paced environments, streamline processes in line with the Brain’s emphasis on simplicity, and balance multiple priorities with a focus on delivering value to customers
• Distill product requirements into actionable engineering tasks while leaving room for design and implementation discussions
• A focus on quality, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and issue resolution, emphasizing the support and monitoring of fielded robots to maintain their high performance and reliability
• Customer-centric mindset, aligning technical solutions with customer needs and expectations
• Strategic planning skills to develop and execute long-term objectives
• Risk management capabilities to identify and mitigate project risks effectively

Things that make a difference:

• Experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or related industry
• Familiarity with robotic sensors such as 3D cameras and lidar
• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to successfully lead a small software development team
• Background in designing scalable and robust software architectures that can support complex robotic applications
• Disciplined to staying informed on new technologies and development trends

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential functions may require maintaining the physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for periods of time; operating a computer and keyboard; talk and hear at normal room levels; using hands to finger, grasp, and feel; repetitive motion; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; lift, push, carry, or pull up to 20 pounds. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Employee is exposed to the typical office environment with computers, printers and telephones.

Salary Range:

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, California is $170,000 to $205,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Brain Corp is a multi-state employer and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states.

In addition to base pay, our competitive total rewards package consists of:

• A discretionary annual target bonus
• Stock options
• 401(k) plan with match (no waiting period and immediate vesting)
• Comprehensive suite of insurance benefits for employees (and their families) to include a variety of medical plan options (including an HSA with employer contribution), dental, vision, life and disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Legal/Identity support plans, pet insurance.
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Generous paid time off including flexible vacation, Paid Sick Leave, time off for volunteering in the community, 10 paid company holidays, and a winter company shutdown

Additional Perks include:

• Daily on-site lunch available in the San Diego office 
• On-campus gym including pool and tennis courts in the San Diego office 
• Opportunities to connect with colleagues including monthly game nights, hikes, wellness challenges, and community events 
• Internal continuous learning events 
• Opportunities to share your own interests and hobbies with the Company