Engineering Manager - Control & Low-Level Software (m/f/d) (Robotics)

Location: Hybrid, Munich, Germany

Company

hirify.global develops autonomous industrial robotics by combining modular hardware, control software, and Physical AI for manufacturing automation.

What you will do

• Lead the team developing hirify.globalntrol, Linux-based real-time control units, robot models, EtherCAT hardware interfaces, and motion generation, planning, and calibration algorithms.
• Manage, hire, coach, and support a mixed team of experienced and early-career control, embedded, and software engineers.
• Set engineering standards for code quality, hardware-in-the-loop and automated testing, CI/CD, staged releases, and remote field observability.
• Maintain one controller codebase across modular robots, OEM configurations, and Alfie, extending it to new kinematic structures, additional joints, and multi-arm systems.
• Partner with Product Management, Hardware, Safety & Compliance, and Robot Intelligence on roadmaps, safety-controller integration, and ISO 10218 and ISO 13849 certification.
• Mentor junior engineering managers and help establish company-wide engineering practices and software-first principles.

Requirements

• University degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams that ship real-time or embedded software for robots, motion systems, or other industrial machines.
• Strong C++ and Python skills on real-time Linux, with hands-on EtherCAT and ROS 2 experience.
• Expert knowledge of modern SDLC practices for hardware-based software, including hardware-in-the-loop testing and staged releases, with a record of improving release frequency and field stability.
• Experience driving an AI-first engineering culture and implementing agentic workflows that measurably improve team velocity and system efficiency.
• Working knowledge of functional safety for industrial robots and experience working with safety and certification teams, including ISO 10218 and ISO 13849.
• Hardware empathy, interest in software-defined hardware, and a high-ownership mindset.
• Very good English skills and the ability to discuss complex architecture with Staff engineers while communicating risks to stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Deep experience in robot control and motion, including kinematics and dynamics, trajectory generation, and position, velocity, and torque control.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-growing scale-up environment with responsibility from day one and direct project impact.
• Flat hierarchies, open communication, and regular 360-degree feedback.
• Flexible working hours, a modern office, and the option to work from home depending on the role.
• Subsidized Wellpass membership with access to more than 7,200 studios across Germany.
• Regular team events, including rooftop gatherings, ski trips, and Oktoberfest activities.