Motion Controls & Robotics Software Engineer

Give hope. Give health. Make your mark in the fight against cancer. At Accuray, we make a direct and powerful impact on the lives of cancer patients every day — helping them live longer, better lives. But our commitment to innovation offers a truly unique opportunity: the chance to change the fight against cancer — helping to develop, introduce and support new treatment delivery systems and software that will give new hope and new health to cancer patients and cancer survivors around the world . Accuray develops, manufactures and sells radiotherapy systems for alternative cancer treatments. Our radiation therapy for cancer makes treatment shorter, safer, personalized and more effective, ultimately enabling patients to live longer, better lives. Job Description The Motion Controls & Robotics Software Engineer contributes to the research, planning, design, implementation, and verification of software that controls critical electro-mechanical and robotic motion mechanisms contributing to the function and performance of Accuray’s radiation therapy products. This is a software-forward motion control role for early-career candidates with foundational experience or strong demonstrated capability developing software that interfaces with physical hardware. The role supports high-level architecture, detailed implementation, integration, and verification of these motion devices while building cross-functional experience across Software, Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering to solve complex engineering problems. Essential duties and responsibilities: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Object-oriented software development and hands-on hardware integration for Accuray’s control systems, including robotic manipulators, precision positioning systems, thermal and pneumatic control systems. Detailed analysis reports (design reviews, control system models, DFMEA, etc.), debugging, reliability cycling, system integration, and formal software/hardware testing are key components of the development activities. Researches, analyzes, plans, and implements the control system design in accordance with product requirements as established from various sources including marketing, manufacturing, reliability, and customer specification documents. Supports the distillation of system-level requirements into sub-system and component-level requirements. Develops and executes comprehensive test plans, including manual, automated, unit, integration, and system-level tests, to rigorously verify developed software and hardware against defined requirements and specifications. Hands-on, data driven problem solving – commonly working directly with motion hardware to move development efforts forward. Assists with hardware prototype builds and troubleshooting as needed. Documents, implements and tests applicable design requirements for production. This includes supporting the transfer of relevant design output documents, recommended assembly and test instructions, and service troubleshooting support. Collaborates closely and frequently with Embedded Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and test teams throughout the software development and product development lifecycle. Provides subject matter expert input and guidance for field service escalations into engineering. Supports the Mechanical Systems Manager in establishing or updating project and departmental deliverables. COLLABORATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Works collaboratively within project teams and Product Development, seeking input from senior engineers and cross-functional partners as appropriate. Communicates technical progress, risks, and roadblocks clearly, and incorporates feedback into design, implementation, and verification of work. Follows applicable quality processes on projects and within the Mechanical Systems group. Contributes to process improvement activities as experience grows. SAFETY AND QUALITY   Supports the effective implementation of safety and quality considerations and requirements in product design. Supports timely investigation, communication, and resolution of safety and quality issues raised by customers or staff. Supports Accuray’s Quality System and Safety and Health Program by following applicable procedures and documentation practices. Qualifications Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical field, with coursework or experience in software development for physical systems. Software experience: Professional software development experience is preferred, but strong candidates with substantial internship, co-op, academic project, research, or personal project experience developing software for physical systems will be considered. Relevant experience should demonstrate hands-on software development, debugging, test discipline, and interest in software that interfaces with electro-mechanical, robotic, or motion control systems   Cross-disciplinary engineering knowledge: Working knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, and Software Engineering design principles, including how software interfaces with sensors, actuators, motor controllers, and other electro-mechanical components. Object-oriented software development: Demonstrated foundation in designing and implementing object-oriented software in C++ and/or Python, including class design, interfaces/abstractions, modular code structure, debugging, and unit/integration testing. Software development practices: Experience using professional software development practices such as version control, code review, issue tracking, build/release workflows, and automated testing. Product development exposure: Exposure to software development, testing, or release activities for products, prototypes, lab systems, or hardware-integrated soft