Robotics Software Engineer

The Robotics Software Engineer role at UL Research Institutes focuses on building and maintaining the software infrastructure that connects laboratory automation, robotics, scientific instruments, data systems, and decision tools into integrated autonomous workflows. This onsite position in Skokie, IL emphasizes scalable integrations, workflow orchestration, sample traceability, and dependable unattended operation with multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software integrations for laboratory instruments, robotics, and automation platforms.
• Design and implement scalable APIs and reusable interfaces to enable communication across heterogeneous systems.
• Build workflow orchestration for multi-step experimental processes spanning synthesis, sample handling, characterization, and analysis.
• Develop and maintain sample tracking, metadata, and lineage capabilities to support experimental traceability.
• Implement scheduling, system-state management, error handling, and recovery features to support reliable unattended operation.
• Integrate systems using APIs and industrial/communications protocols including OPC-UA, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, and serial communication.
• Partner with the Data Science team to enable integration with scientific databases, data platforms, ML models, and decision tools.
• Contribute to monitoring, logging, dashboards, and diagnostic tools alongside Data Science collaborators.
• Use modern software engineering practices, including Git-based workflows, testing, CI/CD, documentation, and containerization.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software issues, applying proactive improvements to strengthen system stability.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate laboratory needs into scalable software solutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and experience building production-quality software.
• Working knowledge of SQL/NoSQL databases and data integration.
• Knowledge of workflow orchestration, scheduling, state machines, and asynchronous systems.
• Experience using Git, automated testing, Docker, CI/CD, and software documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• At least 4 years of experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, robotics, controls, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with an additional programming language or development framework such as C#, .NET, Java, Go, or TypeScript.
• Experience designing APIs, distributed systems, microservices, or event-driven architectures.
• Experience integrating software with hardware, robotics, instrumentation, or automation systems.
• Experience with scientific laboratories, robotics, controls, or autonomous systems is highly desirable.

Technologies

• Python, C#, .NET, Java, Go, TypeScript
• APIs, OPC-UA, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, serial communication
• Git, testing, CI/CD, Docker, containerization
• SQL, NoSQL, ML models

Compensation and Work Location

Location: Skokie, IL (onsite)

Salary: USD 89,602 - 123,202 per year

Pay type: Salary

Benefits

• Bonus compensation
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay
• Additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment
• Flexible working arrangements may be available with your manager (depending on role)
• Paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days