Lead Robotics Perception Engineer

Lead Robotics Perception Engineer

Join a venture-backed robotics company that is transforming an industrial process through advanced automation, artificial intelligence, and computer vision. Backed by experienced founders and industry-leading investors, this organization has moved beyond the prototype stage and is deploying cutting-edge robotic systems into real-world production environments.

This is an opportunity to lead the development of next-generation robotic perception systems, combining classical computer vision, machine learning, and sensor fusion to solve complex automation challenges. You'll work alongside world-class robotics engineers developing products that bridge AI with physical systems in demanding industrial environments.

The Opportunity

We're seeking a Lead Perception Engineer to provide both technical leadership and hands-on development for a growing perception team. This individual will own the architecture, development, and deployment of production-ready perception systems while mentoring engineers and driving technical direction across the organization's AI and robotics initiatives.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving difficult real-world robotics problems—not just developing algorithms, but deploying solutions onto production hardware and continuously improving performance in the field.

Required Skills & Experience

• 8+ years of software engineering experience focused on robotics, computer vision, autonomous systems, or machine learning
• 2+ years leading technical teams or serving as a Tech Lead or Engineering Lead
• Expert programming experience with Python and C++;
  Rust experience is a plus
• Strong experience developing production computer vision systems
• Deep understanding of robotic perception pipelines and sensor calibration
• Experience building and deploying machine learning models into production environments
• Hands-on experience with PyTorch, OpenCV, CUDA, PCL, Open3D, or similar frameworks
• Experience integrating LiDAR, stereo vision, Time-of-Flight cameras, RGB-D sensors, and other perception technologies
• Strong understanding of robotics fundamentals including coordinate transforms, localization, calibration, and sensor fusion
• Experience debugging complex hardware/software interactions in real-world robotic systems

Desired Skills & Experience

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, or related discipline
• Experience working with ROS2 or comparable robotics middleware
• Experience deploying AI models on embedded hardware
• CUDA optimization and GPU acceleration experience
• Experience with high-throughput, real-time vision systems
• Familiarity with industrial robotics or warehouse automation
• Experience mentoring engineers and conducting architectural reviews
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across hardware and software teams

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead the architecture and development of production robotic perception systems
• Guide engineers through the full software development lifecycle from concept through deployment
• Design perception pipelines utilizing classical computer vision and deep learning
• Evaluate and select sensors including LiDAR, stereo cameras, RGB-D cameras, and Time-of-Flight technologies
• Develop AI and machine learning models for object detection, segmentation, tracking, and classification
• Improve system accuracy through sensor fusion, calibration, and optimization
• Design scalable, low-latency perception architectures for real-time robotics applications
• Perform hands-on debugging of hardware and software integration issues in laboratory and field environments
• Conduct code reviews, mentor engineers, and establish engineering best practices
• Partner closely with robotics, controls, software, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to deliver integrated autonomous solutions

Tech Breakdown

• 35% Computer Vision & AI (PyTorch, OpenCV, CUDA)
• 25% Robotics Perception & Sensor Fusion
• 20% Software Engineering (Python, C++, Rust)
• 10% Hardware Integration & Sensor Selection
• 10% Technical Leadership & Architecture

Daily Responsibilities

• 50% Hands-On Software Development
• 25% Technical Leadership & Mentoring
• 15% Cross-Functional Collaboration
• 10% System Testing, Validation & Field Debugging

The Offer

• Competitive base salary + potential bonus and equity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Opportunity to build cutting-edge AI-powered robotics deployed in real-world environments
• Highly collaborative engineering culture with significant technical ownership
• Career growth within a rapidly scaling, venture-backed robotics company

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship is not available for this position.