[Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer
full-time•San Francisco
About this role
About Phenix Space
Phenix Space is a venture backed startup building the upgradeable Space layer for Earth’s critical industries. We use robotics and physical AI to enable assembly of space assets unlocking enormous capabilities for individual satellites and making them upgradeable. Phenix Space enables evolution in orbit.
About the Role
Phenix Space is seeking a Robotics Engineer to lead the development of our space robotic module. This role will focus on real-time control, perception, and decision-making for robotic operations in orbit.
You will work on robotic control, computer vision, motion planning, and autonomy, ensuring our robotic system can diagnose, assemble, repair, and interact with satellites autonomously.
This is an opportunity to develop cutting-edge robotics for space applications and shape the future of autonomous satellite servicing.
Key Responsibilities
Autonomous Control & Motion Planning
- Develop real-time motion planning and control algorithms for a space-rated robotic arm.
- Implement Cartesian motion control and force control, ensuring safe, precise, and collision-free movements in microgravity.
- Design and optimize visual servoing algorithms for closed-loop control in dynamic space environments.
- Build reliable manipulation strategies and influence hardware design.
Computer Vision & Anomaly Detection
- Develop damage detection algorithms to assess satellite integrity using multi-modal vision data (RGB, depth, infrared).
- Implement anomaly detection models for satellite telemetry and visual data streams, improving predictive maintenance.
- Integrate real-time telemetry visualization into the Phenix Space UI for mission operations.
Simulation & Testing
- Own the autonomy stack across simulation, HIL, and flight using high-fidelity physics-based simulation to close the gap between ground testing and on-orbit behavior.
- Conduct performance benchmarking for AI and motion control under real-world space constraints.
- Develop testing frameworks for robustness, reliability, and edge-case handling in space environments.
Qualifications
- Master’s or PhD in robotics engineering/computer science or equivalent work experience.
- 3+ years of experience in robotics.
- Strong background in robotics software development (C++, Python).
- Expertise in motion planning, kinematics, and control theory for robotic manipulation.
- Experience in computer vision (OpenCV, PCL, PyTorch/TensorFlow, real-time object detection).
- Expertise on real world production robotic products.
- Experience building and using digital twins for robotics.
- Understanding of real-time computing, low-latency processing, and low level system programming.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in space robotics, orbital mechanics, or satellite systems.
- Prior experience with space flight software and communication protocols used in spacecraft.
- Familiarity with satellite telemetry data processing and anomaly detection techniques.
- Experience with software deployment strategies and tooling such as but not limited to docker containers, terraform, ansible, etc.
- Prior experience deploying and programming with micro-controllers.
- Proficiency in physics-based simulation frameworks (Gazebo, Mujoco, Isaac Sim, or custom simulators).
Why Join Us?
- Be the owner of the Phenix Space robotics stack.
- Work in a fast-moving, high-stakes engineering environment where your contributions will directly shape the future of space infrastructure.
- Solve complex challenges in robotic actuation, space-rated computing, and AI-driven control.
- Collaborate with leading experts in robotics, aerospace, and AI to push the boundaries of autonomous servicing technologies.
Other facts
Tech stack
Robotics Engineering,Computer Vision,Motion Planning,Autonomy,Real-Time Control,Anomaly Detection,Simulation,Testing,C++,Python,Kinematics,Control Theory,OpenCV,TensorFlow,Low-Level System Programming,Digital Twins
About Cox Exponential
CX2 (Cox Exponential) is the early stage venture vehicle for Cox Enterprises. Founded by technologists with decades of experience leading startups and building AI/ML products, CX2 partners with exceptional entrepreneurs and early stage companies to maximize their business potential.
Team size: 2-10 employees
Website: https://cx2.vc
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
What you'll do
- The Robotics Engineer will lead the development of a space robotic module, focusing on real-time control, perception, and decision-making for robotic operations in orbit. Responsibilities include developing motion planning algorithms, implementing computer vision techniques, and conducting simulation and testing for the robotic system.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a [Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer do at Cox Exponential?
As a [Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer at Cox Exponential, you will: the Robotics Engineer will lead the development of a space robotic module, focusing on real-time control, perception, and decision-making for robotic operations in orbit. Responsibilities include developing motion planning algorithms, implementing computer vision techniques, and conducting simulation and testing for the robotic system..
Why join Cox Exponential as a [Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer?
Cox Exponential is a leading Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals company.
Is the [Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer position at Cox Exponential remote?
The [Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer position at Cox Exponential is based in San Francisco, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the [Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer position at Cox Exponential?
You can apply for the [Phenix Space] Founding Robotics Engineer position at Cox Exponential directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Cox Exponential on their website.