Robotics System Architecht

As Robotics System Architect, you will own the overall technical architecture. You will decide where the company can compete, what the platform needs to look like, and how the existing engineering team builds the capability to deliver it. You will work closely with the business development lead for robotics and act as the senior technical voice of the initiative.

Key responsibilities include: mapping the company’s current technical capabilities against target robotics applications and identifying the gaps; recommending the robotics segments with the strongest commercial and technical fit; acting as the final technical authority on robotics system architecture; turning top-level targets (payload, reach, precision, cost, safety) into a full system architecture; defining the interfaces between mechanical design, gearing, motors, sensing, electronics, firmware, motion control and robot software; owning requirement allocation, architectural decisions and trade-offs across disciplines; defining the kinematic model, coordinate frames and calibration approach for the product; setting the strategy for integration, verification and validation; keeping the architecture baseline, interface documentation and decision log up to date; developing robotics expertise within the wider engineering team; advising senior leadership on robotics strategy, and representing the company technically to the parent group, customers and suppliers; and building a network across robot OEMs, suppliers, universities, research institutes and industry specialists.

Skills & experience required: an MSc in Robotics, Computer Science or another engineering discipline; 5+ years in robotics, in industrial, service, mobile or humanoid applications; direct experience working with robot manufacturers, system integrators or automation companies; proven ability to turn customer needs into technical requirements and product specifications; strong knowledge of motors, gearboxes/reducers, sensors, motion control and embedded systems; familiarity with relevant safety standards such as ISO 10218; solid grasp of robot kinematics and dynamics; strong control systems background, e.g. model-based control, MPC and VLA approaches; good understanding of embedded software architecture and RTOS; clear communicator who works well across teams; and willingness to travel internationally.

Nice to have: hands-on experience designing robot joint or actuator modules, particularly low-torque ones; a track record of building technology roadmaps or making make/buy/partner decisions; an existing network in the robotics ecosystem (OEMs, suppliers, academia); and experience establishing a new technical capability within an established engineering organisation.

Logistics: type Hybrid, location Utrecht Region, length 12 months.