Lead Robotics Perception Engineer

Motion Recruitment

  • Boston, MA
  • 2 days ago

    Highlights

    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. 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.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationBoston, MA

    Description

    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.

    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.

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