Pivot Robotics, a YC W24 startup building robots for warehouse unloading, is hiring Robotics Software Engineers. They're looking for experienced engineers proficient in C++ and ROS to develop and improve the perception, planning, and control systems for their robots. The role involves working on real-world robotic systems tackling challenging problems in a fast-paced startup environment.
FurtherAI, a YC W24 startup building tools to help developers use LLMs more effectively, is hiring. They're seeking engineers with experience in areas like distributed systems, machine learning infrastructure, and frontend development to join their team. The company emphasizes a fast-paced environment and the opportunity to shape the future of AI development. They're specifically looking for individuals passionate about developer tools and excited to tackle the challenges of working with large language models.
Hacker News users discussed FurtherAI's unusual approach to remote work, allowing employees to live anywhere globally but requiring synchronized work hours (9 am-1 pm Pacific). Some commenters saw this as a positive, offering flexibility while maintaining team cohesion. Others questioned its practicality and fairness across vastly different time zones, particularly for those located in Asia or Europe, predicting burnout or a skewed workforce towards the Americas. The high salary advertised ($250k-$450k) also drew attention, with some speculating it reflected the demands of the synchronized schedule, while others debated its competitiveness within the AI field. Several users expressed skepticism about the viability of the "fully remote, globally distributed, but everyone works the same four hours" model.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43342301
HN commenters discuss the Pivot Robotics job posting, mostly focusing on the compensation offered. Several find the $160k-$200k salary range low for senior-level robotics software engineers, especially given the Bay Area location and YC backing. Some argue the equity range (0.1%-0.4%) is also below market rate for a startup at this stage. Others suggest the provided range might be for more junior roles, given the requirement for only 2+ years of experience, and point out that actual offers could be higher. A few express general interest in the company and its mission of automating grocery picking. The low compensation is seen as a potential red flag by many, while others attribute it to the current market conditions and suggest negotiating.
The Hacker News post titled "Pivot Robotics (YC W24) Is Hiring" linking to a job posting for a Robotics Software Engineer generated several comments, engaging in a discussion primarily focused on the challenges and realities of robotics development, along with some speculation about Pivot Robotics' specific application area.
One commenter highlights the inherent difficulty of robotics, stating that "Robotics is hard," and elaborates that it's not just about software, but also involves intricate hardware and systems integration aspects. They further emphasize the iterative nature of robotics development, requiring continuous improvement and refinement. This comment sets the tone for much of the subsequent discussion.
Another commenter questions the specific focus of Pivot Robotics, asking, "What kind of robots are they making? The website offers few clues." This reflects a desire for more transparency from the company regarding their target industry and the specific problems they aim to solve with their robotic solutions. This lack of clarity seems to be a shared concern among several commenters.
Several commenters engage in a back-and-forth about the complexities of robot manipulation and grasping, touching upon topics like picking up deformable objects and the challenges of real-world, unstructured environments. This exchange dives into the technical intricacies of robotics, showcasing the expertise within the Hacker News community.
Another commenter mentions their experience with industrial robots, highlighting the often overlooked practical challenges such as cable management, which can significantly impact the design and functionality of robotic systems. This contributes to the overall theme of real-world robotics being considerably more complex than theoretical concepts.
A couple of commenters speculate about Pivot Robotics' potential application areas, suggesting possibilities like agriculture, given the company's location in Salinas, California. However, these remain speculations without concrete evidence.
Overall, the comments on the Hacker News post reflect a realistic and nuanced understanding of the challenges inherent in robotics development. They express curiosity about Pivot Robotics' specific focus while acknowledging the complexities of building practical and effective robotic systems. The discussion highlights the practical, hands-on nature of robotics, moving beyond abstract concepts to address real-world implementation challenges.