Chef Robotics is accelerating the deployment of intelligent machines in the physical world, starting with food production—a sector facing the largest labor shortage in the U.S., with 1.14M unfilled jobs today and 3.1M projected by 2030. These roles cannot be offshored, making robotics essential to keeping production onshore and strengthening America’s manufacturing base. Backed by investors like Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg Beta, and Promus Ventures, and supported by a world-class team from companies such as Cruise, Zoox, Google, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics, Chef is rapidly scaling with multiple multi-year contracts and a mission to put an intelligent robot in every commercial kitchen.
About the RoleAs a Senior Software Engineer, Full Stack at Chef Robotics, you'll play a key role in developing cloud-based applications that power our intelligent automation platform. Initially focused on building cloud dashboards that enable line workers to operate and control Chef systems and allow customers to program the system efficiently, this role will evolve to encompass extensive backend, cloud, and infrastructure projects. You'll work on provisioning robots for seamless deployment, enabling remote software updates, and developing systems for real-time remote robot control. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge robotics technology and shape the software that powers the future of food automation.
As a small team, we are focused on building a positive in-office culture. We are looking for individuals who are available to work onsite at the office five days a week and can work start-up-oriented hours.
Frontend Development & User Experience
- Own the development and maintenance of the HMI dashboard, ensuring an intuitive and responsive user experience
- Design and implement modern TypeScript frontend solutions using React, Next.js, and Vite
- Implement 3D rendering features in the UI using Three.js or Three Fiber for enhanced visualization
- Create user-facing interfaces optimized for autonomy and robotics operations
- Develop internal tools and dashboards using Retool for monitoring and administration
Backend & API Development
- Design and implement robust backend solutions that integrate with autonomy runtime systems
- Build performant REST APIs using Node/Express, Python FastAPI, or similar frameworks
- Expand REST API capabilities for non-autonomy actions and system control
- Integrate real-time pub/sub communication with the autonomy runtime via WebSockets
- Maintain secure and efficient data pipelines between on-device and cloud services
Database & System Integration
- Work with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB) and ORM libraries (SQLAlchemy, Prisma, Sequelize)
- Collaborate with autonomy, robotics, and cloud teams to create seamless interfaces between Chef systems and operators
- Interface with ROS or similar autonomy runtime systems
- Optimize system performance and reliability, addressing latency, scalability, and fault tolerance
Cloud Infrastructure & Deployment
- Improve the performance and reliability of cloud services supporting the Chef system
- Work on provisioning robots for seamless deployment across customer environments
- Enable remote software updates to enhance performance and reliability
- Develop systems for real-time remote robot control and monitoring
Required Qualifications - Technical Expertise
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- 5+ years of professional experience in full stack development roles
- Strong proficiency with modern TypeScript frontend frameworks (React, Next.js, Vite)
- Extensive experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB) and ORM libraries (SQLAlchemy, Prisma, Sequelize)
- Proven experience building performant REST APIs using Node/Express, Python FastAPI, Ruby on Rails, or similar frameworks
- Understanding of cloud infrastructure and deployment practices
- Experience with real-time communication systems and WebSocket implementation
Domain Knowledge
- Understanding of system performance optimization including latency, scalability, and fault tolerance
- Experience with secure data pipeline design and implementation
- Knowledge of modern development practices and CI/CD workflows
- Familiarity with cloud-based application architecture
Personal Attributes
- Strong problem-solving skills with a systematic approach to complex technical challenges
- Excellence in technical communication and cross-functional collaboration
- Proactive mindset in identifying opportunities for system improvements
- Comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment with startup-oriented hours
- Commitment to working onsite five days a week to contribute to positive in-office culture
- Passion for robotics and automation technology
Desired Qualifications
- Experience building user-facing interfaces for autonomy, robotics, industrial automation, or edge/IoT devices
- Experience interfacing with ROS (Robot Operating System) or similar autonomy runtime systems
- Experience with Python web servers (FastAPI, Flask, Django, Tornado)
- Experience rendering 3D scenes in React using Three.js or Three Fiber
- Background in food production, manufacturing, or industrial automation
- Knowledge of containerization and orchestration technologies
- Familiarity with monitoring and observability tools for distributed systems
Key Projects You'll Work On
- Enhancing the HMI dashboard for improved usability and responsiveness
- Integrating real-time pub/sub communication with the autonomy runtime via WebSockets
- Expanding REST API capabilities for non-autonomy actions
- Improving the performance and reliability of cloud services supporting the Chef system
- Implementing 3D rendering features in the UI using Three.js or Three Fiber
- Developing systems for remote robot provisioning and software updates
