Robotics Engineering Manager: Systems & Applications

Summary

GrayMatter Robotics is a well-capitalized Physical AI company headquartered in Los Angeles, building Factory SuperIntelligence (FSI) through systems that learn, adapt, and develop genuine process intelligence across every part they touch. Our robots take on the tedious, hazardous, and ergonomically demanding work that has kept manufacturing dependent on a shrinking skilled workforce, delivering superhuman performance. Robotics has a demo problem. GMR doesn't. Our systems are in active production today, adapting autonomously to real geometries, real materials, and real process variation without reprogramming. We deliver our system through a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model that converts capital expenditure into an operating subscription, making Physical AI accessible to the manufacturers who need it most. We hire people who want to solve hard physical problems at an industrial scale.

We help manufacturers improve the quality of life for their workforce while increasing production capacity, and reducing scrap, repair, and rework costs. As a Robotics Engineering Manager: Systems & Applications, you will join our Activation Team onsite in our Carson, CA office to grow our Systems & Applications Engineering (SAE) engineers—an essential group that interfaces with nearly every team across the organization.

Role & Responsibilities

As a Robotics Engineering Manager, you will…

• Be responsible for delivering consistently high-quality engineering output and train a team of deeply capable engineers who are known industry-wide for their problem-solving rigor, systems fluency, and collaborative strength

• Set the technical standard and lead by example: architect, debug, build, and launch physical systems

• Adopt a hands-on approach to develop people and systems in parallel

• Break down complex system-level issues across the hardware/software stack and guide others to solve them effectively

• Drill into engineering output to ensure work meets the right level of quality, performance, and long-term maintainability

• Ask the right questions to help others gain insight and move forward confidently

• Serve as a coach and mentor; train engineers in structured problem solving and technical decision-making

• Create onboarding and ongoing learning frameworks for new and existing SAE team members

• Conduct performance reviews and career development conversations with empathy and clarity

• Champion engineering best practices across the team

• Allocate SAE resources dynamically based on cross-functional needs (Project, Product, RDO, Sales, Gov’t, CSS, Marketing)

• Prioritize and coordinate team members’ time in alignment with evolving org-wide priorities

• Communicate team bandwidth, skill alignment, and project risk to the broader org

• Work closely with Product and other stakeholders to ensure clarity in handoffs, timelines, and quality expectations

• Operate as a thought partner to technical and non-technical leaders who rely on SAE as an internal center of expertise

Export Control Requirements

In order to comply with the export regulations of the United States Government, it is required that the applicant must fall under one of the following categories: (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (i.e. current green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS/MS degree or equivalent years of experience in Robotics, Automation, Advanced Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field

• 6+ years experience building and launching complex physical systems (robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, etc.)

• 2+ years experience managing performance, developing engineers and allocating team resources

• Strong systems thinking with hands-on technical experience across the full stack: hardware, firmware, software, and integration

• Familiarity with ROS, embedded systems, and full-stack development for robotics or automation systems

• Ability to translate bandwidth, technical risk, and resource needs into actionable decisions

• Track record of training, mentoring, or leveling up teams through direct teaching and role modeling

• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple teams

• Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment with quickly changing priorities

• Must secure work authorization in the United States and maintain ongoing work authorization beginning at the time of hire through the entirety of employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading various distributed/multi-location teams, including external design and manufacturing partners

• 8+ years experience building and launching complex physical systems (robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, etc.)

• Prior experience as a Principal Engineer with formal people leadership responsibilities at a high-growth company

• 4+ years managing engineers directly, including performance reviews and career development

• Experience supporting multiple cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, high-growth startup or scaling environment

• Strong organizational agility: able to manage shifting priorities, allocate bandwidth, and balance technical depth with operational decision-making

• Experience standing up or scaling internal training programs, onboarding systems, or technical development tracks

• Recognized internally or externally as a thought leader or technical mentor

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Depending on the position and if listed, compensation may include the base salary range, bonus or commission, and equity. We also provide comprehensive benefits and perks which include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, unlimited PTO, 401(k) plan + employer match, regular offsite events, a discretionary fund for enhancing productivity and so much more! The range listed on job postings reflect the minimum and maximum new hire salary across levels in Los Angeles, CA.