Robotics Engineering Technical Lead Manager

Technical Lead Manager, Robotics Software

Union City, California (work from office at least 3 days/week)

Third Wave Automation (TWA) is a rapidly growing robotics startup applying modern machine learning and autonomy to real-world materials handling. Our technology enables infrastructure-free pallet handling and site-specific forklift navigation that adapts to changing warehouse layouts, workflows, and demand.

We have proven core technology, demonstrated strong market fit, and recently closed our Series C funding. We are now scaling one of our robotics platforms from advanced prototype to production deployment in partnership with a world-leading forklift OEM.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a hands-on technical leader who wants to help mature a real-world robotic system at commercial scale.

Role Overview

TWA is looking for a principal-level Technical Lead Manager to lead a focused robotics software team responsible for taking one of our platforms from approximately 90% functional completeness to a hardened, production-ready system.

This is not a pure people-management role, and it is not a research-only or ML-only leadership role. We are looking for a leader who can operate at the intersection of software architecture, hands-on C++ engineering, code review, systems thinking, and small-team management.

Job Scope

Lead a Hands-On Robotics Software Team: Manage and technically lead a small, focused team of 4–5 engineers responsible for maturing a robotic system into production. You will set technical direction, unblock engineers, provide direct coaching, and ensure the team is making sound engineering decisions.

Stay Close to the Code: Actively participate in software design, C++/Python code reviews, architecture discussions, debugging, and technical trade-off decisions. You do not need to be the primary coder on every feature, but you must be credible and effective in the codebase.

Drive C++ Software Quality: Raise the bar for production-grade C++ development, including object-oriented design, code maintainability, interface design, testability, performance, reliability, and long-term supportability.

Mature the System for Production: Lead the final stage of productization: reliability improvements, performance tuning, failure-mode handling, diagnostics, test coverage, documentation, and hardening required for 24/7 operation in industrial environments.

Own System-Level Technical Decisions: Guide technical decisions across robotics software, vehicle interfaces, sensors, controls, autonomy behavior, hardware integration, and operational constraints. You will help the team reason through trade-offs involving safety, reliability, latency, maintainability, and customer impact.

Lead Technical Reviews and Design Discussions: Establish a high-quality engineering rhythm around design reviews, code reviews, interface definitions, and technical documentation. You will help ensure the team is building software that can scale beyond a small number of successful demos.

Partner Cross-Functionally: Work closely with the Technical Program Manager and Head of Engineering to translate technical complexity into clear execution plans, milestones, risks, and delivery commitments.

Interface with a Global OEM Partner: Serve as a key technical interface with our forklift OEM partner. You will help align on vehicle interfaces, sensor integrations, platform capabilities, technical constraints, and product-readiness expectations.

Use AI Tools Pragmatically: Champion the thoughtful use of AI-assisted development tools such as Cursor, Gemini, Copilot, or similar platforms to accelerate engineering work without compromising code quality, safety, maintainability, or review discipline.

Candidate Profile

This person will feel very comfortable saying, “I can manage the team, but I can also review the C++ design, challenge the architecture, debug system-level issues, and raise the engineering bar.”

The optimal candidate for this role is likely a hands-on engineering leader who has grown from a strong software engineering foundation into technical leadership and small-team management; currently performing as as Technical Lead Manager, Staff/Principal Engineer with formal team leadership responsibilities, Engineering Manager who remains highly technical, or Robotics Software Lead managing a small group while still driving architecture and code quality.

Advanced degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
10+ years of progressive software engineering experience, ideally in robotics, industrial vehicles, and/or complex SW/Hw systems.
Deep understanding of object-oriented programming, object-oriented design, software architecture, interfaces, and maintainable code structure.
Experience technically leading engineers through design reviews, code reviews, debugging, and system-level trade-off decisions.
Deep understanding of C++, with the ability to review, critique, and improve production-grade code.
Experience managing or formally leading a small engineering team, ideally 4–5 engineers.
Ability to operate as both a technical lead and people manager: setting direction, coaching engineers, holding quality standards, and driving execution.
Experience with real-world robotic, autonomous, embedded, vehicle, or industrial systems where reliability, safety, and operational performance matter.
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical trade-offs to engineers, product leaders, program managers, executives, and external partners.
Practical understanding of software development processes, release readiness, testing, documentation, and production support.
Preferred - Experience with robotic systems architecture, vehicle control systems, autonomy software, fleet robotics, industrial automation, or warehouse automation.
Preferred - Experience with sensors, perception systems, controls, localization, motion planning, vehicle interfaces, or hardware integration.

Benefits and Perks

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.

401(k) matching program.

Flexible working schedule.

Daily lunch provided, with dinner covered on longer workdays.

Fully stocked snacks.

Regular Show & Tell sessions where team members share what they are building and learning.

Collaborative teammates who care deeply about building real-world robotics products.

Third Wave Automation is an equal opportunity employer. We value each person’s expertise, background, and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected status.

The pay range for this position is $168,000–$360,000 per year, plus benefits and equity. Base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location.

All qualified applicants authorized to work in the United States are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas (at any point) subject to fees required by the “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” Presidential Proclamation dated September 21, 2025.