Staff Software Architect, Robotics & AI
About this role
Divergent is building advanced systems and an integrated engineering and manufacturing platform for demanding industries like automotive, aerospace, and defense. The Robotics and AI Software Team specifically develops solutions spanning real-time robotics control, optimization, and generative AI systems. This role exists to lead the design and architecture for that team, shaping multithreaded applications from concept through production deployment.
Candidates will handle system-level architectures that integrate electromechanical hardware, robotics stacks, and operator-facing user interfaces. The position also involves defining infrastructure for automated testing, containerization, and continuous integration while mentoring engineering colleagues. Professionals with strong system design backgrounds and expertise in modern C and Python will find this environment well-suited to their skills.
What you will do
- Own system architecture for multithreaded C++ and Python applications across robotics control, automation, AI/ML, and optimization pipelines.
- Architect end-to-end solutions from design through production deployment, encompassing operator-facing GUIs, diagnostics, monitoring, simulation, calibration, and fault-detection systems.
- Design scalable and reliable integrations with robotics stacks like ROS and ROS2, MoveIt, electromechanical hardware, sensors, and manufacturing systems.
- Define architecture for planning and optimization frameworks alongside generative AI and agentic systems including LLMs, multimodal models, and inference optimization.
- Establish CI/CD practices, containerization with Docker and Kubernetes, build systems using CMake, automated testing, and code quality standards across teams.
- Lead technical design sessions, code reviews, and mentorship while collaborating cross-functionally with controls, electrical, mechanical, systems, and manufacturing departments.
- Drive commissioning, troubleshooting, continuous improvement, and support for production hardware integration.
What you need
- Hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, AI/ML, or a related field with at least 5 years of professional experience, including architecture and design background.
- Demonstrate expert proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer) and Python with strong multithreaded, real-time, and performance-sensitive software design capabilities.
- Bring system architecture experience focused on designing scalable, reliable, and integrated software systems.
- Possess end-to-end GUI experience in designing and architecting operator-facing applications for monitoring, diagnostics, and control.
- Demonstrate infrastructure and deployment architecture skills covering CI/CD, automated testing, containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes, and build systems such as CMake.
- Show strong proficiency in Git, technical documentation, technical leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Maintain the ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls.
Nice to have
- Experience with ROS/ROS2, MoveIt, kinematics/dynamics, trajectory generation, and industrial automation integration.
- Knowledge of planning and optimization methods such as SAT/SMT, combinatorial optimization, constraint programming, and PDDL/planners.
- Familiarity with generative AI frameworks like LangGraph, LangChain, LlamaIndex, vLLM, PyTorch, and HuggingFace.
- Advanced degree such as a Master's or Ph.D. with a publication or open-source record.
- Experience with C# or TypeScript, and leading medium-to-large architectural initiatives.
Benefits
- Competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities
- Paid vacation, sick time, company holidays, and a year-end shutdown
- Paid parental leave for growing families
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with HMO and Premium PPO options
- Company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage
- Reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the salary range for this position?
The pay range for this role is $141,380 to $224,500 USD.
Where is the job located?
The role is located in Torrance, California, United States.
What kind of health and wellness benefits are provided?
Comprehensive health and wellness benefits are offered with both HMO and Premium PPO options, alongside company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage.
What qualifications are required regarding work authorization?
Candidates must have the ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls, and the company participates in E-Verify to electronically confirm employment eligibility.