Robert Grimes

I’m a principal embedded systems engineer with extensive experience designing complex robotics, aerospace, industrial, and defense platforms. I’m self-directed and known for improving reliability, accelerating deployment, and mentoring engineering teams in safety-critical environments.

At IROBOT CORPORATION, I led embedded architecture and firmware development for multiple generations of consumer robots, driving modular system design and reliable field performance. I redesigned robot mobility architecture to improve modularity and code reuse, and I managed the Clean Base product family—unifying the dock platform, implementing core functional modules, and cutting engineering costs across new models by over half.

I also supervised microcontroller diversification during COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, enabling alternate hardware adoption and preventing production delays. Across fielded robot issues, I directed investigations to ensure compliance with evolving EU safety regulations and California and DOE energy standards while protecting product availability.

As a self-employed consultant (RSG ASSOCIATES), I deliver embedded architecture and firmware across robotics, aerospace, automotive, and research platforms. From architecting embedded Linux controllers on Xilinx Zynq SoCs to building ROS firmware nodes, satellite command/telemetry infrastructure, and automated tooling for FPGA/VHDL and documentation generation, I focus on scalable integration, strong diagnostics, and long-term maintainability.