Lead Robotics Perception Engineer

Boston, MAOnsiteDirect Hire$160k - $230kJoin 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 companyApplicants 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 companyApplicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship is not available for this position.