Lead Robotics Perception Engineer
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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