Robotics Engineer, Manipulation - GRAM : Job Details

Humanity's birthright is to become galactic. GRAM exists to serve this mission.We are a foundational AI and robotics startup building the machines and intelligence necessary to overcome the physical labor bottleneck preventing large-scale space industrialization.Our first product is a general-purpose insectoid capable of working in large swarms. Over the coming century, our systems will build the critical infrastructure needed for humanity's expansion across the Milky Way.The OpportunityAs a Founding Robotics Engineer at GRAM, you will be instrumental in bringing our vision to life by leading the design, development, and realization of our core robotic manipulation capabilities. You will architect the physical interaction abilities for our general-purpose insectoids, destined for Earth's toughest environments and eventually off-world construction and resource utilization.This is a unique ground-floor opportunity to define manipulation strategy from day zero, solve extreme challenges in robust grasping, tool use, force control, and material handling for unstructured environments, and build the physical task execution core of a system designed for galactic scale. You will have unparalleled ownership and impact, tackling problems in interacting with diverse objects, applying precise forces, automating tool use, basic assembly, and handling construction/resource materialsnecessary for autonomous swarm operations. If you are a world-class manipulation expert or engineer driven by tackling seemingly impossible physical interaction challenges for a civilization-level mission, join us at the very beginning.Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and validation of algorithms for robust robot manipulation, including grasp planning/execution, motion planning (high-DOF, potentially whole-body), and force control.
• Collaborate deeply with Mechatronics on the design/integration of end-effectors, potential multi-purpose limbs, and relevant sensors (force/torque, tactile) suitable for harsh environments and diverse physical tasks.
• Develop systems for perception-guided manipulation (using input from the Perception team) for object identification, pose estimation, and closed-loop control.
• Own the manipulation software development lifecycle: architecting modules, implementing algorithms (C++/Python), rigorous testing in simulation (Isaac Sim, etc.) and on physical hardware interacting with real-world objects and materials (e.g., soil, rocks, tools, components).
• Define and execute test plans to characterize and improve manipulation performance (e.g., grasp success rate, task completion time, force accuracy) for tasks relevant to construction, resource handling, or site remediation.
• Help define and establish manipulation development methodologies, best practices, and engineering culture from the ground up.
• Contribute significantly to overall system architecture decisions and long-term technical strategy alongside other founding members.
• Be prepared to tackle a wide range of manipulation and interaction challenges and contribute broadly as part of a small, agile pre-seed team.

Minimum Qualifications

• MS degree in Robotics, CS, MechE, or related field, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating exceptional ability.
• Significant professional experience (comparable to 8+ years, though impact matters more than time) focused on robot manipulation, including algorithm development and implementation on physical systems.
• Deep expertise in robot kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and control theory specifically related to manipulation.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Experience working with real robotic arms or mobile manipulators.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with a focus on robot manipulation, grasping, force control, or mobile manipulation.
• Proven experience developing and deploying manipulation capabilities on real mobile robots (especially legged) operating in unstructured environments.
• Contributions at the level of top-tier Robotics conferences (e.g., RSS, ICRA, CoRL, ISRR, HRI).
• Expertise in advanced areas like robust grasping (cluttered scenes, diverse objects), force-controlled assembly/interaction, dexterous manipulation, tactile sensing integration, or autonomous tool use.
• Experience applying ML/Reinforcement Learning to challenging manipulation tasks.
• Deep familiarity with ROS/ROS2 and relevant simulation tools (Isaac Sim, PyBullet, MuJoCo).
• Experience with manipulation tasks relevant to construction, material handling (rocks, soil), resource excavation, or hazardous material interaction.
• Demonstrated success and adaptability in early-stage startup environments (pre-seed/seed preferred).
• High tolerance for ambiguity and proven ability to create clarity and drive progress independently.
• Exceptional problem-solving ability and a first-principles thinking approach to physical interaction.

We welcome applications from individuals even if their background does not match every listed requirement.Our CultureWe are a small, deeply technical team operating with the urgency and focus required to tackle a multi-generational mission. Expect minimal hierarchy, maximal ownership and impact, intense collaboration, and the unique opportunity to build not just groundbreaking robots, but the culture and foundations of the company itself. We are backed by visionary investors who share our long-term conviction.Compensation & BenefitsAs a critical founding team member joining at the earliest stage, your compensation package is designed to reflect both the significance of your contribution and the inherent risks and rewards of building from zero.

• Competitive Pre-Seed Salary: We offer a competitive base salary benchmarked for founding engineering roles at venture-backed pre-seed/seed-stage startups in the Los Angeles Area, involving a conscious trade-off with equity.
• Substantial Founding Equity: Recognizing your critical role and early commitment, you will receive a significant stock option grant, providing meaningful ownership and upside potential aligned with GRAM's ambitious long-term vision.
• Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; flexible PTO policy; 401(k) plan; other standard startup perks.

Galactic Resource Advancement Mechanism Technologies Corporation. C. MMXXV. El Segundo, California, United States of America.#J-18808-Ljbffr