Job Description

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We\'ve transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip-scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high-resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you\xe2\x80\x99re motivated by solving big problems, we\xe2\x80\x99re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!


You will be a staff engineer developing the open source Ouster SDK, the development kit for customers to receive, process, and visualize their lidar data and bring their robots to life. An eye for high-performance C++ and clean APIs is essential. Your customers will be both internal and external, including Ouster\'s lidar development team, perception team, and the open-source community.



During a typical week as a staff engineer, you will work with product managers and stakeholders to define engineering requirements, produce software architectures, designs, and prototypes, contribute top-notch code and test it, and help coordinate the work of other engineers. Additionally you will provide training, mentorship, and guidance for other team members. Come build lidar with us!

Job Responsibilities:

• • Design, implement, and test features in C++ and Python for the open-source Ouster Lidar Sensor SDK
  • Develop and maintain clean, high-performance, robust cross-platform code (our software is used in autonomy, robotics and research projects)
  • Prototype, design, and implement in-house tools to support internal engineering teams from embedded software to optics and manufacturing in building lidar sensors
  • Support internal perception and mapping capabilities
  • Document, plan, and track your work
  • Demonstrate new products to stakeholders, participate in technical discussions, and respond to feedback graciously

Job Requirements:

• • Expert in high-performance C++ and Python
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
  • At least 6 years of relevant experience
  • Significant Linux experience
  • Some knowledge of Linux networking and networking protocols
  • Some knowledge of Python packaging
  • Experience with CMake, build, packaging
  • Experience with Jenkins or other CI/CD systems
  • Experience developing and deploying with Docker

Bonus points:

• • Experience with cross-platform development, especially Windows or macOS
  • Network programming experience
  • Pybind11
  • Web assembly
  • JavaScript
  • TypeScript
  • OpenGL
  • Experience maintaining an open-source codebase
  • Experience designing and implementing APIs for lidar, imaging, or other sensors
  • Past experience working with hardware products
  • Security
  • Hardware Robotics Platforms such as Nvidia Jetson, QNX, DriveSmith

$170,000 - $220,000 a year
The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits.

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these
requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.


At Ouster we offer a range of competitive benefits, as we believe in taking care of our employees in all aspects of their lives. Our newly renovated office, located in the Mission District of San Francisco, is a dog-friendly workplace with a kitchen stocked with snacks, fresh fruit and drinks, and a complimentary dinner catered nightly. Additional perks include 15 vacation days/10 paid holidays annually; paid parental leave; pre-tax commuter or health care/dependent care accounts; 401K match up to 4%; medical, vision and dental plans with premiums covered at 100% for the employee and 75% for dependents (Cigna or Kaiser); life insurance; and short term disability and long term disability. Ouster offers the best benefit options available because we consider the well-being of our employees a top priority.


Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.