Robotics Software Technical Lead

Do you want to help build real technology for a meaningful purpose?

Do you want to fight to make the world’s fresh produce healthier, tastier, and more sustainable?

As a Robotics Software Technical Lead at Tortuga, you’ll spearhead small teams and projects in the development of world-leading software.

You’ll be starting with a well-structured codebase to pioneer revolutionary robot behaviors, new features and services for our customers, and support tools for our operations team.

You’ll guide and work alongside talented engineers in developing full-fleet autonomous behaviors in some of the most interesting, challenging, and coolest field environments there are (a literal field!)

As a leader at Tortuga, you’ll be fundamental to our success, growth, and culture.

You’ll bring experience and a passion for our mission while also thriving in a fast-paced, flexible, and energized startup environment.

You’re excited to grow your role and leadership skills as Tortuga grows.

What you’ll do

• On a daily basis, mentor, manage, and coach team members, and work alongside them, to solve challenging real-world perception, localization, navigation, path planning, and manipulation problems

• Perform module programming in C++ to integrate creative solutions to complex problems

• Build the system that enables hundreds of robots to navigate various farm environments 

• Communicate and collaborate within interdisciplinary teams to design solutions, test prototypes, and improve field performance

• Up to 10% travel to beautiful agricultural regions, with likely international travel 

What we’re looking for

• Required: 5+ years professional experience in software development in autonomous navigation, robotics, or relevant fields, including mastery of C++ and ROS

• Required: Professional experience managing and coaching a 2+ person team in production software development

• Required: Specific familiarity with custom hardware and integration, navigation, motor controllers, arm planning, camera implementation, and image acquisition

• Required: Bachelor of Science in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or other related field; Master of Science a plus

• Preferred: Knowledge of Python, experience with ROS2, experience with AWS

• Must enjoy working in a fast-paced environment; startup experience a major plus

• Exceptional problem solving skills, including troubleshooting, data analysis, and timing code execution

• Great communication skills, results-oriented, and able to meet or exceed deadlines

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of our salary range for this position.

Actual salaries may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, education, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel.

The range listed is just one component of Tortuga’s total compensation package for employees.

Denver area base salary range: $140,000
– $180,000 per year.

Relocation assistance is available for out-of-state candidates.

All salaried, full-time employees receive:

• Meaningful company equity

• Unlimited paid time off

• 401K plan with 3% employer contribution

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 

• Flexible working hours 

• Annual wellness stipend

A word about COVID-19

We are highly sensitive to the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic brings to people, as team members and as individuals at home.

We want you to be safe, to keep our team safe, and to do our part to help reduce the impact of the pandemic.

We are an Essential Business so the majority of our work is performed at our office.

Our office abides by all COVID-19 guidelines established by the State of Colorado and the City of Denver.

About Tortuga

Tortuga AgTech’s mission is to build a healthier society, and a thriving planet, through smarter farming.

We’re pursuing our mission by building robotic harvesting and precision analytics systems for the world’s leading fresh produce growers (delicious things like strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and herbs).

We’re building not just because it’s fun, but because we believe thoughtful, well-built advanced technology can help farmers grow healthier, fresher, more environmentally sustainable produce for everyone.

We’re backed by some of the most respected early-stage investors in Silicon Valley, as well as ag industry veterans. 

Tortuga means “turtle” in Spanish.

Around the world, turtles are symbols of wisdom, patience, and connectedness to the Earth.

We’re proud to be based in Denver, CO
– a growing and leading robotics hub in North America, and a great place to live! 

Tortuga is an equal opportunity employer.

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.