Senior Software Engineer, Full Stack

About Our Team

Chef Robotics is on a mission to accelerate the advent of intelligent machines in the physical world. As the rise of LLMs like ChatGPT has shown, AI has the potential to drive immense change. However, we believe AI’s biggest impact will be in the physical world, given industries like manufacturing, food, and transportation represent 90% of global GDP. We're starting with food, with a goal to put an intelligent robot in every commercial kitchen in the world. We have signed multiple multi-year contracts with various large food companies and we are growing fast. We're backed by investors like Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg BETA and Promus Ventures. We have a great team, where you will be surrounded by talented engineers and tech leaders from companies like Cruise, Zoox, Google, Verb Surgical, Tesla, Nuro, Vicarious, Amazon Robotics, Strateos, Built Robotics, Facebook, Plenty, Yelp, and Microsoft.

About the Role

As 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

$150,000 - $240,000 a year

Chef is an early-stage startup where equity is a major part of the compensation package. As the company secures more capital, we will gradually increase salary and cash compensation. The starting salary will depend on seniority.

In addition to salary and early-stage equity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, commuter benefits, flexible paid time off (PTO), catered lunch, and 401(k) matching.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizen status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, age, pregnancy status, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other protected status.

Multiple studies have found that a higher percentage of women and BIPOC candidates won't apply if they don't meet every listed qualification. Chef values candidates of all backgrounds. If you find yourself excited by our mission but you don't check every box in the description, we encourage you to apply anyway!