Technical Lead, Research and AI for Dexterous Manipulation

Company; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in industrial robotics seeks a Technical Lead for Research and AI, focusing on enhancing robot capabilities. You will lead R&D efforts, collaborate with top researchers, and drive innovative solutions in robotics and AI. This role requires strong coding skills and a PhD in relevant fields.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in team management and solution delivery.
• Experience leading robotic system development projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D efforts on sensor-guided dexterous manipulation.
• Design, implement, test, and maintain innovative software features.
• Transition promising prototypes into practical applications.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Problem Solving

Motivation

Networking

Education

PhD in Computer Science

PhD in Robotics

PhD in Machine Learning & AI

Tools

C++

Python

Job description

Technical Lead, Research and AI for Dexterous Manipulation

Toronto, Canada

Intrinsic is Alphabet’s venture aiming to reimagine the potential of industrial robotics. Our team believes that advances in AI, perception, and simulation will redefine what’s possible for industrial robotics in the near future — with software and data at the core.

Our mission is to make industrial robotics intelligent, accessible, and usable for millions of businesses, entrepreneurs, and developers. We are a dynamic team of engineers, roboticists, designers, and technologists passionate about unlocking the creative and economic potential of industrial robotics.

Role

As a Technical Lead Manager and senior research leader in robotics and AI, you will join our R&D team working on novel robotics capabilities with real-world impact. You will collaborate with researchers and engineers developing machine learning, reinforcement learning, and foundation models for AI-enabled robotics in manipulation, perception, and motion planning. You possess strong coding skills, hands-on robotics interest, and enthusiasm for enhancing robots' capabilities to perform useful tasks in real environments. Your role involves developing systems to improve robot perception, understanding, and interaction, enabling advanced, reliable manipulation and broader societal applications. Working with the broader engineering team and industrial partners, you will bring prototypes to practical applications. You will lead a team or project, setting directions and driving impactful solutions. Curiosity and excitement about new technologies and creative problem-solving are essential.

How your work moves the mission forward

• Lead R&D efforts on sensor-guided dexterous manipulation for industrial robots.
• Design, implement, test, and maintain innovative software features in simulation and real robots to enhance manipulation capabilities.
• Collaborate with researchers at Google DeepMind Robotics, universities, and research labs to translate solutions into real-world applications.
• Transition promising prototypes into practical applications with the engineering team and partners.
• Document and communicate your work to internal and external stakeholders.
• Set strategic directions and drive solutions within your team or project area.
• Coordinate with a distributed team across three continents.

Skills you will need to be successful

• PhD or equivalent in Computer Science, Robotics, or related fields.
• Proficiency in C++ and/or Python.
• Proven leadership in team management, setting directions, and solution delivery.
• Experience leading robotic system development projects.
• Domain knowledge in robotics and industrial automation.
• Strong motivation to collaborate with partners and cross-functional teams.
• Networking within academic and industrial research communities.

Skills that will differentiate your candidacy

• PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Machine Learning & AI, or similar.
• Experience developing complete robot applications, from algorithms to actuators.
• Deep knowledge in robotics control, AI, planning, and motion control.
• Experience with software design for hardware/software or real-time systems using C++.
• Expertise in motion control, sensor-based motion, trajectory generation, and optimization.
• Familiarity with robotics simulation and sim-to-real transfer.
• Knowledge of motion planning, kinematics, and trajectory generation.
• Experience with computer vision and dexterous manipulation tasks.
• Experience collaborating with academic researchers and managing large software systems.

At Intrinsic, we celebrate diversity and are committed to equal opportunity employment. We support and thrive on a diverse workforce for the benefit of our employees, products, and community. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or criminal history, in accordance with legal requirements.

If you require accommodations due to a disability or special need, please contact us at: [e-mail].