About the role
We are looking for a Robotics Engineer to join our self-driving technology team. In this role, you will be responsible for validating the performance, reliability, and safety of autonomous driving systems through structured testing on both simulated environments and real vehicles. You will work closely with perception, planning, and controls engineers to design test cases, log and analyze data, and identify failure modes before they reach production.
If you are passionate about robotics, automobiles, and building systems that operate safely in the real world, we'd love to hear from you.
This role is onsite at our Phoenix, AZ office.
What you'll do
Design, execute, and document test plans for autonomous driving features, including perception, localization, path planning, and vehicle control.
Develop and maintain test scripts and automation tools using Python and C++ on Linux-based platforms.
Work with ROS1 and ROS2 to launch nodes, record/replay rosbags, debug topic streams, and integrate test harnesses.
Interface with vehicle electronics over the CAN bus — sending, receiving, and decoding signals using tools such as CANalyzer, SocketCAN, or equivalent.
Reproduce, triage, and log defects with detailed steps, sensor data, and rosbag artifacts; collaborate with the development team to drive issues to closure.
Calibrate and verify sensor stacks (LiDAR, camera, radar, IMU, GNSS) and validate sensor fusion outputs.
Participate in track testing, closed-course evaluations, and structured public-road drives in accordance with safety protocols.
Contribute to test infrastructure: data pipelines, regression suites, KPIs, and dashboards that measure autonomy performance over time.
Maintain accurate, audit-ready test documentation and reports.
What we're looking for
Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline.
Hands-on experience with Linux (Ubuntu) — comfortable with the shell, build systems, networking, and debugging tools.
Working knowledge of ROS1 and ROS2 — nodes, topics, services, launch files, rosbag, tf, and basic package development.
Practical exposure to the CAN protocol, including message decoding using DBC files and use of CAN tools/hardware (Vector, Kvaser, or similar).
Solid foundation in automobile systems — powertrain, steering, braking, vehicle dynamics.
Understanding of robotics fundamentals — coordinate frames, transforms, sensors, actuators, and basic state estimation.
Basic Python scripting for automation, log parsing, and data analysis.
Reading-level proficiency in C++, with the ability to navigate, debug, and make small modifications to existing codebases.
Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and a structured approach to problem-solving.
Good written and verbal communication skills for clear test reporting.
Bonus Points
Familiarity with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and issue trackers (Jira).
Exposure to functional safety standards (ISO 26262) or SOTIF (ISO 21448).
Experience working with sensor calibration tools and rosbag analysis at scale.
A valid driver's license and willingness to participate in on-road test drives.
More about Gatik
Founded in 2017, Gatik has grown into a commercial force in autonomous freight, operating trucks daily in live customer networks across the United States and Canada. We're headquartered in Santa Clara, California, but our impact is felt on the roads and in the supply chains that keep essential goods moving for some of the biggest companies in North America.
Our trucks do some of the most demanding work in freight, running high-frequency, time-sensitive routes between distribution centers and stores, where reliability matters every single day. For our customers, that means more capacity, better service and products arriving where they need to be, when they need to be there.
Behind it all is AI-first technology built from the ground up for autonomous trucking, capable of navigating highways and surface streets and tackling the complexity of real-world logistics at scale.
Visit Gatik for more company information and Careers at Gatik for more open roles.
Notable News
For the latest company news, visit the Gatik newsroom.
Recent media coverage
TechCrunch: Self-driving truck startup Gatik raises $200M following PepsiCo deal
Reuters: Gatik secures $200 million in funding as autonomous freight market accelerates
Bloomberg: Driverless Trucks Can Save Lives on America's Roads
PepsiCo website: PepsiCo and Gatik announce multi-year agreement to deploy autonomous freight in North America
Wall Street Journal: Driverless Trucks Are Here - and They’re Delivering Bags of Doritos
CBS News: Pepsi deploys self-driving delivery trucks
Bloomberg: Autonomous Trucking Firm Gatik Inks Contracts Worth $600 Million
Forbes: Hundreds’ Of Gatik Robot Delivery Trucks Headed For U.S. Roads
CNBC-TV18: No more test runs: Gatik says driverless trucks are now a real, money-making business
Forbes: Gatik And Loblaw Announce Largest Commercial Deployment Of AV Trucks
Taking care of our team
At Gatik, we connect people of extraordinary talent and experience to an opportunity to create a more resilient supply chain and contribute to our environment’s sustainability. We are diverse in our backgrounds and perspectives yet united by a bold vision and shared commitment to our values. Our culture emphasizes the importance of collaboration, respect and agility.
We at Gatik strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels they have opportunities to succeed and grow because we know that together we can do great things. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse team. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status or any legally protected status.
E-Verify Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Gatik participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program.
