Hire for robotics perception when the main gap is interpreting sensor information into a useful view of the world. Hire for planning when the main gap is choosing a feasible course of action from that view and the task.
Control and systems integration are additional responsibilities. A broad “robotics engineer” title can hide which capability is actually missing.
Trace the autonomy chain
| Layer | Core question |
|---|---|
| Sensing and perception | What is present, where is it, and how uncertain is that estimate? |
| Localization | Where is the robot relative to its reference frame or map? |
| Planning | Which path or action sequence should it attempt? |
| Control | How should it execute the intended motion? |
| Integration | Do the components exchange timely, consistent information? |
The exact boundaries depend on the robot and architecture. Nav2, for example, separates planner and controller responsibilities within its navigation system. Nav2 navigation servers.
Diagnose the failure before naming the hire
If the robot misunderstands an obstacle, the issue may involve sensing or perception. If it represents the environment adequately but chooses an unsuitable route, investigate planning.
If a reasonable plan is not executed correctly, inspect control, timing, or integration. Symptoms can cross layers, so avoid assigning the problem based only on the visible behavior.
Specify the physical context
Describe the robot, environment, available sensors, compute constraints, and testing facilities at a public-safe level. Indoor navigation, manipulation, and outdoor operation can demand different experience.
State what expertise is essential on entry and what adjacent robotics experience could transfer.
Assess with a bounded scenario
Provide a fictional failure trace and ask the candidate to identify hypotheses, necessary observations, and a safe investigation sequence.
Look for uncertainty reasoning and awareness of interfaces. A specialist should be able to explain where their layer ends and which evidence they need from collaborators.
Do not conduct uncontrolled physical tests during an interview. Use simulation, recorded synthetic data, or an approved supervised environment appropriate to the task.
Define collaboration
Name the owners of hardware, perception, planning, control, and validation. A hire should know which capabilities exist around them.
Use the robotics integration interview and essential versus trainable experience guide. Discuss a robotics hiring mandate with Refery.