Job Title
Robotics Chief Engineer
Job Category
Engineering
Job Description
Are you looking to work in Automation and develop industry-leading technologies on a
collaborative development team? A proven track record in technology is required – tell
us what interests you and how you can help our emerging technology programs. This is
an opportunity to impact materials handling by bringing Hyster and Yale products to the
forefront of the marketplace.
Our teams work on great projects within our "hands-on" engineering development
centre in the South East of England. This role is within the Frimley-based global robotics
development team contributing to the development of robotic options for all lift truck
models.
Role Summary
The Robotics Chief Software Engineer role is the senior technical authority for
Hyster-Yale’s autonomous and robotic vehicle platforms. This role owns the end-to-end
integrity of the robotic truck systems, from concept and architecture through validation,
industrialisation, and field performance, ensuring solutions meet stringent
requirements for safety, reliability, performance, and cost.
The Robotics Chief Software Engineer serves as the final technical decision-maker
across software and system domains, providing clear technical direction and
governance across multiple robotics programs and platforms. This role works in close
partnership with product management, program management, integration leaders, and
global engineering teams to deliver scalable, production-ready robotic solutions.
Responsibilities
Technical Ownership & Architecture
1. Development responsibility for robotic truck platforms, including autonomation, sensors, computers, controls, vehicle interfaces, and safety systems
2. Define and maintain system-level technical requirements, design standards, and architectural trade-offs across hardware and software domains
3. Serve as the final technical authority for major design decisions
Product Development & Delivery
4. Lead technical execution from prototype through production release and marked deployment.
5. Ensure robotic systems comply with global requirements for functional safety, reliability and durability
6. Drive disciplined engineering processes, including design reviews, validation plans, and technical readiness gates.
Systems Integration & Validation
7. Oversee software integration of sensors (LiDAR, cameras, radar), controllers, computers and autonomous navigation software into mobile platforms
8. Define and approve verification and validation strategies to demonstrate long-term system reliability and performance in industrial environments
9. Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for field, test, or production issues
Cross-Functional Leadership
10. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Engineers, Integration Leaders, and senior engineers across global sites
11. Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, Service, and Commercial teams to ensure robust, manufacturable, and serviceable solutions
12. Represent engineering in executive and cross-functional reviews, clearly communicating technical risks, trade-offs, and recommendations
Technology Strategy & Roadmap
13. Influence the robotics technology roadmap, including autonomous capabilities, sensor strategies, computers, and safety architectures
14. Evaluate emerging technologies and suppliers to support future product scalability and competitiveness
15. Ensure alignment between long-term technology strategy and near-term product delivery needs
Required Qualifications
16. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Computer, Robotics, or related discipline)
17. 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in robotics, autonomous systems, automotive, o-highway, or complex electro-mechanical products
18. Demonstrated experience owning system-level architecture and technical delivery of complex, safety-critical products
19. Strong background in systems engineering, including requirements management, integration, and validation
20. Experience working across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls disciplines
21. Proven ability to lead technical decision-making in ambiguous, fast-moving development environments
22. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence across disciplines and organizational levels
Preferred Qualifications
23. Experience with autonomous vehicles, mobile robotics, or industrial automation
24. Familiarity with C++, python, git, DevOps and linux development environments
25. Familiarity with Matlab/Simulink/Stateflow model-based code generation
26. Knowledge of functional safety standards and compliance processes
27. Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., CAN, J1939, CANopen)
28. Experience supporting global development teams and multi-site programs
Occasional travel may be required (less than 10% total time)
The successful candidate will be subject to background checks.
Job Type
Permanent
Time Type
Full time
Work Hours
39
Travel Required
No
Location
HY EMEA UK Frimley
Address
Centennial House
Zip Code
GU16 7SG
Field-Based
No
Relocation Assistance Available
No