[Hiring] Principal Solutions Architect – Robotics & Voice AI @Cerence

Role Description

Voice AI is reshaping how robots work in the real world, and we are responding to a deep unmet need: giving mobile service robots a voice that holds up against the demands of latency, patchy connectivity, and noisy, unpredictable environments. This is about opening new markets from the ground up. To do it, we are bringing together a team that combines the top commercial and technical talent, with the domain expertise these markets demand. The pace is fast, the technology is new and exciting, and your work moves the business.

• Engage senior technical decision-makers at robotics companies building the next generation of physical AI in mobile and service robotics, from startups to mid-sized players to established names.
• Own the technical core of every opportunity: understand how our voice solution runs on the customer’s hardware, design how it fits, and work through the hard questions that keep a deal moving.
• Clear the technical roadblocks between interest and a signed deal, turning evaluations into commitments.
• Work hand in hand with sales, product, and professional services, translating what you learn in the field into how we sell, deliver, and build.
• Shape the product itself, feeding real customer hardware and conditions back into what we build next.

Qualifications

• A background in computer science, software engineering, or a related engineering discipline, built through hands-on development or a solutions or sales-engineering role, with the ambition to take on more ownership and work closer to the customer.
• Understanding of the robotics software stack — middleware/robot OS (ROS 2, vendor SDKs), the autonomy stack (perception, SLAM-based navigation/Nav2, MoveIt 2 manipulation), the intelligence layer (foundation models, agentic orchestration), and fleet operations & integration (RobOps platforms, VDA 5050, ERP/WMS).
• Working knowledge of the underlying robotics hardware — onboard compute, sensor suites, actuation and end-effectors, power and charging/docking systems, and the robot platforms.
• Experience with technical evaluation, POCs delivery, proof of value engagements, onboarding and post-sales hand-off.
• Proficiency in working with cloud-edge hybrid architectures and embedded systems.
• A strong communicator who enjoys going deep on technology, holds conversation with engineering teams, and stays structured and credible with senior stakeholders.
• A natural collaborator who works closely with sales, product, and professional services teams.
• Regular travel to customer sites (20%-30%).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Software Engineering, AI, or a related discipline.

Benefits

• Generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to the base salary), including:
• Salary range: $119,350.00 USD - $190,650.00 USD.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability).
• Paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Company contribution to the RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan).
• Equity awards for certain positions and levels.
• Remote and/or hybrid work available depending on the position.