Lead Robotics Perception Engineer

Lead Robotics Perception Engineer


Job ID: mrp-883469

Boston, ,

Information Technology

Direct Hire,

$160000 - $230000

On-site

Other/Non Classified

Boston, ,

$160000 - $230000

Direct Hire,

Other/Non Classified

On-site

Information Technology

Job details

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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