Director of Robotics/Robotics System Architect

Director of Robotics / Robotics Systems Architect
WasteCube is seeking a Director of Robotics / Robotics Systems Architect to define and lead the robotics architecture behind our next-generation waste and resource-recovery systems.
This role will lead the design and integration of the robotic, mechatronic, sensing, control, and automation systems that enable WasteCube to identify, manipulate, route, separate, and process highly variable waste streams. You will work across mechanical engineering, embedded systems, controls, AI, perception, and automation to translate the WasteCube vision into scalable physical systems, prototypes, and ultimately production-ready platforms.
This is a zero-to-one engineering role. Some of the technologies required already exist and can be adapted. Others will need to be integrated in new ways, redesigned, or developed specifically for WasteCube. We are looking for a systems-level technical leader who can determine the difference and build accordingly.
What You Will Be Doing
Define the overall robotics and mechatronics architecture for WasteCube systems.
Translate product concepts into engineering requirements, subsystem definitions, interface specifications, and development roadmaps.
Architect systems for material sensing, identification, manipulation, routing, sorting, compaction, and processing.
Evaluate and integrate actuators, motors, conveyance systems, robotic mechanisms, gates, pneumatics, sensing technologies, and industrial automation components.
Define interfaces between robotics, embedded systems, controls, mechanical systems, and AI-driven perception and decision-making.
Lead early prototype architecture, proof-of-concept development, test systems, and technical validation.
Identify critical technical risks and establish testing strategies to validate performance before full-scale development.
Determine where WasteCube should integrate proven technologies versus develop proprietary solutions.
Partner closely with AI leadership to connect perception and machine decision-making with reliable physical action.
Support simulation, hardware testing, system integration, safety, reliability, serviceability, and scalability planning.
Evaluate technical vendors, components, engineering partners, and future manufacturing approaches.
Help build and lead the robotics engineering organization as WasteCube moves from pre-seed development into full engineering execution.
What We Need to See
Significant experience in robotics, mechatronics, industrial automation, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, or related complex physical systems
Strong systems-architecture experience across mechanical, electrical, sensing, controls, embedded, and software domains
Experience taking robotic or electromechanical systems from concept through prototype, validation, or production
Strong understanding of actuators, sensors, motion systems, controls, embedded systems, and hardware/software integration
Experience with ROS/ROS2, industrial communications, real-time control systems, or similar robotics platforms
Ability to reason from first principles and operate effectively in ambiguous, early-stage engineering environments
Strong technical leadership and communication skills across multidisciplinary teams
Experience mentoring engineers or contributing to the development of high-performing technical teams
Ways to Stand Out
Experience in material handling, recycling automation, logistics robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, defense, industrial systems, or advanced manufacturin
g.Experience working with AI, computer vision, perception, or multimodal sensing team
s.Experience building systems where hardware, software, and intelligent decision-making must operate together in real tim
e.Previous startup, R&D, or zero-to-one product development experienc
e.A track record of building systems that required creating new technical approaches rather than simply implementing established ones.
Work Structure
This is a full-time role that will begin remote during WasteCube’s initial architecture and engineering phase. For approximately the first 4-6 months, depending on development progress and the requirements of the position, the role is expected to focus on system architecture, engineering requirements, simulation, component evaluation, prototype planning, and early technical validation.
As WasteCube moves into physical prototyping, fabrication, integration, and testing, this position will transition toward a hybrid structure with periodic on-site work in Florida. As the development program expands, relocation assistance and/or relocation bonuses may be available for team members who choose to relocate. Because this role leads WasteCube’s robotics architecture, direct involvement with physical prototypes and hardware integration will become increasingly important as development progresses.
About WasteCube
WasteCube is developing a new generation of intelligent waste infrastructure designed to transform how waste is identified, sorted, processed, and recovered. By combining robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, automated material handling, and energy-recovery technologies, WasteCube is building modular systems capable of turning waste streams into recoverable materials, usable energy, and actionable data.
Our vision extends from residential and commercial environments to institutions, municipalities, industrial sites, and government applications. Rather than treating waste as an end-stage problem, WasteCube is building toward a distributed, intelligent infrastructure platform that can reduce landfill dependence, improve material recovery, lower operating costs, and create a smarter circular economy.
Currently in pre-seed development, WasteCube is focused on technical validation, system architecture, and prototype development as we assemble the engineering leadership required to bring the platform from concept to deployment.

Work arrangement
Yes