Senior C++ Software Engineer – Robotics in Cambridge

Senior C++ Software Engineer – Robotics in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
F

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop cutting-edge C++ software for autonomous raspberry-picking robots in real-world environments.
  • Company: Join Fieldwork Robotics, a pioneering company transforming agriculture with innovative robotics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, profit sharing, hybrid work, and flexible hours.
  • Other info: Collaborative team environment with excellent career growth opportunities in a fast-scaling industry.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on farming efficiency while working with advanced robotics technology.
  • Qualifications: Strong C++ experience, ROS2 knowledge, and a passion for solving complex robotics challenges.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

Company Overview

Fieldwork Robotics is a pioneering autonomous robotics company developing modular, multi-crop, soft and adaptive robots designed to operate in real-world, non-controllable environments such as agricultural fields.

Our mission is to transform farming through intelligent, scalable robotic systems that improve productivity, sustainability, and efficiency.

Company Overview

Fieldwork Robotics is a pioneering autonomous robotics company developing modular, multi-crop, soft and adaptive robots designed to operate in real-world, non-controllable environments such as agricultural fields.

Our mission is to transform farming through intelligent, scalable robotic systems that improve productivity, sustainability, and efficiency.

We operate a growing R&D headquarters in Cambridge and are establishing a new engineering hub in Lisbon following the incorporation of our Portugal subsidiary.

Our teams work collaboratively across hardware, software, and operations to deliver reliable, production-grade autonomous robots.

Why Join Us

We’re building autonomous robots that operate in one of the most challenging real-world environments imaginable: soft, irregular plants, dense foliage, moving targets, variable lighting, wind, and real commercial performance constraints.

As a Senior C++ Software Engineer, you’ll be responsible for developing the core robot control software that enables our robots to reliably, efficiently, and profitably pick raspberries in the field.

You’ll work at the intersection of robot control, perception, planning, and real-time systems, turning vision and ML outputs into robust physical actions.

This is a hands-on role with real machines, real crops, and real commercial targets.

  • What You’ll Be Doing
  • Design, develop, and maintain and deploy high-performance modern C++ 20 software for production autonomous raspberry-picking robots
  • Build robot control systems using ROS2 and ROS2 Control, integrating with hardware drivers, actuators, and sensors
  • Consume perception outputs from vision and ML systems (fruit detection, tracking, quality estimation) and convert them into actionable robot behaviour

• Implement and improve algorithms for

  • Fruit tracking and state estimation
  • Object detection integration
  • Path and trajectory planning
  • Obstacle avoidance in cluttered, deformable environments
  • Pick sequencing and optimisation under uncertainty
  • Develop mathematical and algorithmic solutions to real-world robotics problems involving noise, latency, dynamics, and partial observability
  • Control and optimise the full pick cycle
  • Log performance data from the robot and build diagnostics, metrics, and tooling to analyse failures and improve reliability, speed, and yield
  • Debug complex system-level issues spanning software, hardware, perception, and environment
  • Drive improvements in robot performance against commercial KPIs such as pick success rate, throughput, damage rate, and uptime
  • Collaborate closely with robotics, vision, ML, mechanical, electronics and embedded systems, and operations teams to ship integrated solutions
  • What We’re Looking For
  • Strong professional experience writing modern C++ in production systems
  • Docker/containerised deployment
  • Solid experience with ROS2 and ROS2 Control in real robotic platforms in distributed robotic architectures
  • Proven ability to write robust, maintainable, and testable control software
  • Experience working with perception outputs (vision, ML, sensor fusion) in robotics
  • Strong foundations in core software engineering principles coupled with a strong ability in mathematics
  • Experience with motion planning, trajectory generation, or real-time robot control
  • Comfortable working in complex, noisy, real-world environments (not just simulation)
  • Practical debugging skills — you enjoy finding the root cause of complex, cross-disciplinary problems
  • Experience working with production level software
  • Engineering Practices & Tooling
  • Git Lab for version control and code review and CI/CD pipelines
  • Jira for planning and delivery tracking
  • Structured release processes and versioning strategies
  • Emphasis on code quality, documentation, and long-term maintainability
  • Nice To Have
  • Experience with embedded/edge compute platforms (e. g. NVIDIA Jetson-class hardware)
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms, data systems, and fleet-level software
  • Experience with agricultural, mobile, or outdoor robotics
  • Familiarity with real-time systems, hardware interfaces, or embedded Linux
  • Experience tuning systems based on field data and operational feedback
  • Background in optimisation, estimation, or probabilistic robotics
  • Why This Role Matters

Your work directly determines whether the robot

  • picks the right fruit
  • avoids damaging crops
  • operates fast enough to be commercially viable
  • survives real farms, real weather, and real seasons

You won’t just be writing software — you’ll be driving the robot to hit its performance and commercial targets.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary and benefits package
  • Profit sharing / share options
  • Hybrid working model
  • Flexible working hours
  • On-site parking (UK)
  • Casual dress
  • Company events & social activities
  • Career progression in a fast-scaling robotics company
  • Opportunity to work on real-world autonomous robots deployed in production environments
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Senior C++ Software Engineer – Robotics in Cambridge employer: Fieldwork Robotics

Fieldwork Robotics is an innovative employer at the forefront of autonomous robotics, offering a dynamic work environment in both Cambridge and Lisbon. As a Senior C++ Software Engineer, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, profit sharing, and flexible working hours while collaborating with talented teams to develop cutting-edge technology that transforms agriculture. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a culture that values creativity and collaboration, Fieldwork Robotics provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the field of robotics.

F

Contact Details:

Fieldwork Robotics Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior C++ Software Engineer – Robotics in Cambridge

Dive into Robotics Meetups

Get yourself out there and connect with others in the robotics-automation field by attending local meetups and industry events. These gatherings are where the magic happens, and you might just rub shoulders with someone from Fieldwork Robotics or get insider tips on upcoming vacancies.

Showcase Your Projects

Create a portfolio that highlights your robotics projects, whether they're personal, academic, or freelance. Share this on platforms like GitHub or your personal website, as it shows potential employers, like Fieldwork Robotics, what you're made of and your hands-on experience in the field.

Utilise University Resources

If you're fresh out of university or still connected, don't underestimate your career services. They often have exclusive access to job fairs and employer networking events in technical fields like ours, so make sure you tap into those resources to discover openings at companies like Fieldwork Robotics.

Engage in Online Communities

Join online communities that focus on robotics and automation, such as forums or LinkedIn groups. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and share insights. This not only builds your visibility but could also lead to direct connections at firms like Fieldwork Robotics, which might have the full-time role you're after.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior C++ Software Engineer – Robotics in Cambridge

C++ 20
ROS2
ROS2 Control
Docker
Perception Outputs (Vision, ML, Sensor Fusion)
Motion Planning
Trajectory Generation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the robotics and automation field, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills on your CV. Include specific programming languages, software platforms, and any relevant robotics experience. Don’t forget to mention any projects or systems you've developed – this info can really make you stand out!

Portfolio Perfection:Having a polished portfolio can speak volumes for a role in robotics. Include any relevant case studies, designs, or prototypes you've worked on. If you've participated in competitions or hackathons, showcase these achievements as well – they show initiative and problem-solving skills!

Tailored Cover Letter Magic:In your cover letter, don’t just tell us that you love robotics—tell us why you’re passionate about automation specifically! Explain how your skills can contribute to Fieldwork Robotics’s projects and remember to connect your past experiences to what you'll be doing in this role.

Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, such as in robotic process automation or machine learning, make sure they’re front and centre on your CV. These credentials show you're dedicated to your field and keep you up to date with industry standards – we love to see that!

How to prepare for a job interview at Fieldwork Robotics

Showcase Your Technical Wizardry

For a role in robotics and automation at Fieldwork Robotics, it's crucial to demonstrate your technical skills. Be prepared to dive into specifics about the programming languages and tools you’ve used, like Python or ROS (Robot Operating System). Brush up on your knowledge of algorithms and control systems, as these might come up during technical questions.

Bring Your Projects to Life

With a full-time position in robotics, you should have a portfolio of your projects ready to show. Whether it's a robot you built for a competition or a simple automation script, make sure you can discuss the challenges you faced and how you solved them. This hands-on experience is gold and shows you can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Think Like an Engineer

Expect some problem-solving scenarios during your interview. You might be asked to design a basic automation solution on the spot or troubleshoot a robotic system. Practising these types of technical questions can really set you apart, as they require critical thinking and a systematic approach to tackle problems.

Culture Fit Is Key!

Don’t underestimate the importance of cultural fit at Fieldwork Robotics. They might ask about your teamwork experience and how you handle challenges with peers. Be ready to share examples of working in diverse teams, as collaboration is often central to projects in robotics and automation.