Robot Software Engineer Intern — Spring & Summer 2027
About the role
Simbe is looking for a Robot Software Engineer Intern to join the team building the software that powers Tally, our autonomous mobile robot operating in live retail environments.
As an intern, you’ll work alongside our Robot Software Engineering team and contribute to a meaningful project tied to the team’s active priorities. Your specific project will be selected by your hiring manager closer to your start date so that your work directly supports what the team is building at that time.
Depending on current priorities and your background & interests, your work may touch areas such as autonomy and navigation, perception, hardware integration and drivers, ROS tooling, or other areas of our software stack.
Why This Internship Is High Impact
Work on real robots. Contribute to the software and systems behind Tally robots operating every day in live retail environments.
Learn production robotics. Gain hands-on experience with C++, Python, Linux, ROS/ROS2, testing, debugging, hardware integration, and engineering workflows.
Contribute to meaningful work. Your project will align with an active team initiative rather than being isolated “intern work.”
Own a defined project. You’ll be given clear goals and an appropriately scoped problem you can meaningfully contribute to during the internship.
Learn from experienced roboticists. You’ll work directly with Simbe engineers and have a dedicated mentor separate from your hiring manager.
See the full robotics system. Gain exposure to how autonomy, perception, hardware, cloud systems, and field operations come together in a production robot fleet.
Responsibilities
Own and contribute to a scoped project aligned with the Robot Software team’s priorities during your internship.
Design, implement, test, debug, and document software primarily in C++ and Python.
Work within a Linux development environment and use ROS/ROS2 tools and concepts.
Contribute to areas such as autonomy, navigation, perception support, hardware drivers, testing/evaluation, or developer infrastructure depending on current team needs.
Debug software and hardware/software integration issues using logs, telemetry, testing tools, and hands-on investigation.
Write maintainable, well-tested code and participate in code reviews.
Collaborate with engineers across Robot Software, Hardware, Perception, and other technical teams.
Communicate progress, technical decisions, challenges, and results throughout the internship.
Present your project, approach, results, and key learnings at the end of the program.
Required Qualifications
Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
We primarily target undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, as well as students currently pursuing a master’s degree.
Strong programming fundamentals in C++ and/or Python.
Comfortable working in a Linux environment.
Familiarity with ROS or ROS2 and core concepts such as nodes, topics, messages, services, parameters, and launch systems.
Basic familiarity with Git or another source-control system.
Strong technical problem-solving and debugging skills.
Ability to learn quickly and take ownership of an unfamiliar technical problem.
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Bonus Qualifications
Personal robotics, programming, or open-source projects outside of coursework.
Previous robotics, software engineering, embedded systems, or related internship experience.
Experience with autonomous navigation, localization, SLAM, perception, motion planning, controls, or human-robot interaction.
Experience integrating sensors, motors, embedded devices, or other hardware with software.
Familiarity with CI/CD, automated testing, Docker, build systems, or developer tooling.
Experience participating in robotics clubs, research labs, competitions, or hands-on engineering teams.
Experience using AI-assisted coding and automation tools as part of software development, debugging, or engineering workflows, with good judgment around validating generated output.
Internship Program Structure
Interns join Simbe as part of a structured cohort and work full time from our Burlingame, California headquarters.
Each intern will have:
A defined technical project aligned with current team priorities
A hiring manager responsible for project scope, performance, and feedback
A dedicated mentor separate from the hiring manager
Structured midpoint feedback
Regular opportunities to collaborate with and learn from Simbe engineers
A final project presentation at the end of the internship
We do not believe in creating busywork for interns. Your project will be selected closer to your start date based on active team priorities so that you can contribute to meaningful work alongside our full-time engineering team.
About Simbe
Simbe is building the AI-powered operating system for physical retail. Our autonomous robots and multimodal computer vision platform turn complex, constantly changing stores into accurate, actionable intelligence for leading retailers around the world. Simbe combines robotics, computer vision, machine learning, data infrastructure, and customer-focused product design to help retailers improve shelf availability, price and promo execution, inventory accuracy, and store team productivity.
Simbe Values: R. E. T. A. I. L.
Result Driven — We are customer-centric and results-driven. We strive to create immense value for our team, partners, customers, and investors.
Empathetic — We are sensitive and mindful. We support each other in challenging times, both professionally and personally.
Transparent — We value open communication internally, and with our partners and customers. We are receptive to feedback.
Agile — We are eager to learn and adapt quickly to changes and customer needs.
Innovative — We are bold and innovative, with an intense focus on product design, user experience, and customer value.
Leaders — We strive for excellence. We are accountable, the best at what we do, and leaders in our field.