Software Engineer - Backend
1X · San Carlos, United States · 3mo ago
About 1X
We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.
To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.
NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.
If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.
About the Team
The Backend team builds the software layer that connects 1X's physical robots to the digital systems that operate, monitor, and manage them at global scale. We own everything from real-time fleet backends and data pipelines to customer-facing control interfaces and internal operations platforms; the systems that make it possible to deploy, manage, and improve thousands of robots in homes and warehouses around the world. If you want to build the operational backbone of a new category of physical AI, this is where that work happens.
Your Charter
Own the design and execution of all software connecting the physical and digital layers of 1X's global robot operations from fleet management and real-time control to customer interfaces and internal operations platforms. This is critical-path work: as 1X scales from hundreds to tens of thousands of robots, the reliability, performance, and simplicity of this layer determines whether the business can operate, whether customers can trust their deployments, and whether the engineering team can move fast. You will lead architecture decisions, build core components, and set the technical standard for the team.
Key Outcomes
Design and ship scalable backend systems that support real-time robot control, data pipelines, and fleet monitoring as 1X scales from hundreds to tens of thousands of deployed robots
Own and deliver customer-facing applications for robot control, monitoring, and management that set a high bar for reliability and user trust
Build internal platforms that support logistics, manufacturing, and service operations; turning raw operational data into tools the business can act on
Set technical direction, establish reliability and performance standards, and raise the bar for the engineering team through code review, mentorship, and high-leverage architectural decisions
Key Competencies
Systems architect who designs for scale from the start thinking through distributed failure modes, data consistency, and performance constraints before writing a line of code, and builds systems that stay simple as they grow
Execution-focused builder taking end-to-end ownership, ships production systems, and resolves high-impact issues without waiting for direction; relentlessly focused on simplicity and scalability
Technical leader setting direction, reviews critical code, mentors engineers, and makes data-driven decisions that improve outcomes across the team
Comfortable at the hardware-software boundary understanding the constraints of real-time systems, IoT, or robotics and designs cloud infrastructure that accommodates them without overcomplicating it
Minimum Requirements
10+ years of software engineering experience, with 3+ years leading teams that ship production systems
Deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud architecture (AWS or GCP), APIs, and real-time data pipelines
Proficiency in Python, Go, or C++, with a proven track record of designing systems that scale while maintaining performance and stability
Preferred Skills
Experience in robotics, IoT, or real-time control systems where software interfaces with physical hardware at scale
Familiarity with fleet management, OTA deployment, or device telemetry systems
Experience hiring and growing engineering teams in a fast-moving environment
What does a successful 1X Team Member look like
Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect. =
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
Onsite snacks and catered lunches
Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.