Lead Robotics Perception Engineer

Motion Recruitment
  • Boston, MA
    1 day ago

    Job 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.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationBoston, MA

    Skills

    • Algorithmsunmatched
    • Architectural Servicesunmatched
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)unmatched
    • Automationunmatched
    • Best Practicesunmatched
    • Bridge Buildingunmatched
    • C++ Programming Languageunmatched
    • CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture)unmatched
    • Calibrationunmatched
    • Civil Engineeringunmatched
    • Code Reviewsunmatched
    • Communication Skillsunmatched
    • Computer Scienceunmatched
    • Computer Visionunmatched
    • Continuous Improvementunmatched
    • Cross-Functionalunmatched
    • Debugging Skillsunmatched
    • Deep Learningunmatched
    • Dental Insuranceunmatched
    • Embedded Hardwareunmatched
    • Engineeringunmatched
    • GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)unmatched
    • Hardware Debuggingunmatched
    • Hardware-Software Integrationunmatched
    • High Throughputunmatched
    • Industrial Roboticsunmatched
    • Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)\Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR)unmatched
    • Localizationunmatched
    • Machine Learningunmatched
    • Manufacturing/Industrial Processesunmatched
    • Mechanical Engineeringunmatched
    • Mentoringunmatched
    • Middlewareunmatched
    • Object Modelingunmatched
    • Performance Managementunmatched
    • Product Developmentunmatched
    • Production Systemsunmatched
    • Prototypingunmatched
    • Python Programming/Scripting Languageunmatched
    • RGB Color Modelunmatched
    • Roboticsunmatched
    • Software Debuggingunmatched
    • Software Developmentunmatched
    • Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)unmatched
    • Software Engineeringunmatched
    • Stereo Visionunmatched
    • System Testunmatched
    • System Validationunmatched
    • Systems Engineeringunmatched
    • Team Lead/Managerunmatched
    • Team Playerunmatched
    • Technical Leadershipunmatched
    • Vision Planunmatched
    • Warehousingunmatched

    Be found by employers

    5,500+ employers search our resume database daily. Add yours to get found by recruiters looking for candidates like you.

    Level up your application

    Professional resume templates

    Browse dozens of recruiter approved resume templates, layouts and formats. Choose your favorite and make it your own in minutes.

    Free resume templates

    Free resume builder

    Improve your existing resume or start from scratch and create a standout, ATS-friendly resume. Add job-specific content, download and apply.

    Free resume builder