Staff Software Engineer - Ouster SDK Team

At Ouster, we create cutting-edge sensors and software solutions for engineers, roboticists, and researchers to help make the world safer and more efficient. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are integral to a wide range of applications, including autonomous vehicles, drones, and more. If you're passionate about software craftsmanship, high-performance systems, and shaping the future of spatial computing, we want you on our team!

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Ouster SDK (Software Development Kit) team, you'll be the architect of the bridge between our world-class hardware and the developers building the future. You will play a key role in developing the core infrastructure and high-performance libraries that power autonomous applications worldwide. You will contribute to the evolution of the open-source Ouster SDK, a tool set for customers to access, process, and visualize high-throughput LiDAR data.

This role requires a deep mastery of high-performance C++ development and a passion for crafting clean, efficient, and intuitive APIs. While you will work closely with firmware, perception, and cloud teams, your primary focus is on engineering excellence, system stability, and performance. We are looking for a solid C++ software engineer who is excited to apply their expertise in the robotics and autonomy domain.

This is a hybrid role with “onsite” time in our San Francisco headquarters. Relocations will be sponsored.

Job Responsibilities:

• Architect Core Infrastructure: Design and implement high-performance features for the open-source Ouster SDK in C++ and Python.
• API Design: Craft clean, robust, and developer-friendly APIs that enable complex LiDAR data processing across various platforms.
• Performance Optimization: Develop and maintain high-performance, low-latency, cross-platform code capable of handling massive data streams.
• Collaborative Engineering: Translate complex customer and internal requirements into scalable engineering implementations.
• Documentation & Quality: Maintain high standards for code quality, testing, and documentation to ensure the SDK remains a robust, performant, and reliable tool for our global community.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrate new software capabilities to customers and stakeholders, acting as a technical authority on our software stack.

Job Requirements:

• C++ Mastery: 7+ years of experience in high-performance, modern C++ (C++14/17/20).
• Systems Programming: Strong experience in systems-level development, including memory management, multi-threading, and performance profiling.
• Python Proficiency: Strong experience with Python and its ecosystem, particularly for packaging and performance-critical applications.
• Software Architecture: Proven track record of defining, developing, and deploying complex software systems or libraries.
• Linux Expertise: Significant experience developing in Linux environments, including knowledge of Linux networking and protocols.
• Troubleshooting: Exceptional ability to debug and troubleshoot complex, multi-component software systems.
• Communication: Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to both peers and non-technical stakeholders.

Bonus Points:

• Robotics Interest: Experience with or a strong interest in learning autonomy systems (Localization, SLAM, Path Planning).
• Sensor Integration: Past experience integrating and processing data from sensors (LiDAR, cameras, IMUs).
• Language Interoperability: Experience with Pybind11 or other ways to bridge C++ and high-level languages.
• Cross-Platform: Experience with Windows or macOS development and cross-platform build systems (CMake).
• 3D Visualization: Experience with OpenGL, WebAssembly, or other real-time visualization technologies.
• DevOps: Experience with Jenkins or other CI/CD systems.
• Open Source: Experience maintaining or contributing to a significant open-source codebase.
• Containerization: Experience developing and deploying with Docker.

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($180,000 - $220,000)

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.