Staff Software Engineer, Combinatorial Optimization Full Time NEW

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.

About The Role

We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer, Combinatorial Optimization with a strong background and hands-on experience using the latest technologies in task planning, scheduling, and simulation. You will be working on designing, developing, and deploying software leveraging state‑of‑the‑art decision‑making technologies (SAT/SMT solvers, constraint programming, and more). You will be participating in an end-to-end solution that includes system and infrastructure design, algorithm development, and production deployment. This role will be key to building optimization-powered applications for robotics and manufacturing that improve process efficiency and product quality at Divergent.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy innovative planning algorithms using the latest task planning, scheduling, and simulation techniques.
• Determine the system design and deployment architecture for the software pipeline.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate and optimize planning solutions into products and processes.
• Document your work, including code, algorithms, user manuals, and procedures, to support knowledge sharing and future development efforts.
• Develop and maintain software development best practices to ensure high-quality code, efficient testing, and timely releases.
• Stay updated on advancements in planning algorithms and technologies, and contribute fresh ideas and insights to the team.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science (or related) + 5 years of professional software‑engineering experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and C++ (multithreading, memory management).
• Proven experience with SAT/SMT solving, combinatorial optimization, and constraint programming.
• Strong background in task planning and scheduling (PDDL, heuristic/temporal planners, resource‑constrained project scheduling).
• Hands‑on with open‑source planning/scheduling libraries or equivalent.
• CI/CD pipeline design, Docker & Kubernetes deployment, automated unit‑testing, debugging, and performance profiling.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, written/oral communication, and collaboration skills.
• Solid understanding of system design, scalability, and cloud‑native architecture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. (or equivalent research experience) with a strong publication record in task planning, scheduling, or related optimization venues.
• Active open‑source contributions to solver/planner projects.
• Familiarity with C# and TypeScript.
• Domain expertise in robotics or manufacturing workflows.
• Experience leading medium‑sized technical initiatives from definition through delivery.
• Strong stakeholder communication and conflict‑resolution abilities.
• Experience integrating ML/DL models with planning pipelines for hybrid approaches.

Pay Range: $155,550 USD – $213,840 USD

What We Offer:

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you’re truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We’re committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we’re disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

EEO Poster

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected.

E-Verify: Right to Work

Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish)

Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

No agencies, no solicitations, and no calls please.