AI/ML Engineer – Behavioral Safety (m/f/d)

Synapticon GmbH; Schönaich; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days vacation

Hybrid work

Gym membership

Health program

Snacks and fruit

Free coffee

Company pension

Team events

Job summary

Synapticon GmbH in Schönaich near Stuttgart is seeking an experienced AI/ML Engineer to join the Safety AI team. You will own the development and productization of machine learning systems that enable semantic awareness and safe behavior for humanoid robotics, including real-time integration with ROS2.

The role requires hands-on experience with foundation models, ML inference in safety-critical contexts, and a strong engineering discipline.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional ML in production, ideally in robotics or safety-critical domains.
• Experience integrating ML inference pipelines with ROS2 in real-time control contexts.
• Hands-on experience fine-tuning and adapting foundation models for specific applications.
• Track record of code ownership, system design, testing, reproducibility and documentation.
• Deep interest in safety-critical AI as a hard technical and methodological problem.

Responsibilities

• Own the integration of multimodal foundation models into the robot safety stack from architecture to production deployment.
• Design, build, and productize AI-based fall strategy controllers.
• Architect and optimize ML model inference within the real-time robot control loop.
• Define benchmarking methodologies and evaluate behavioral safety classifiers for semantic intent recognition.
• Establish evaluation frameworks for AI safety behavior aligned with standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the Safety AI team's roadmap.

Skills

ML in production

Robotics

Safety-critical AI

Real-time systems

Foundation model tuning

Code ownership

Mathematical foundations

Tools

ROS2

Job description

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Synapticon builds the motion control and actuator technology at the core of next-generation humanoid robots. Our ACTILINK actuator series and Positron Safety AI architecture are deployed in some of the most demanding humanoid and advanced robotics programmes globally. Right now we're looking for an experienced AI/ML Engineer (3+ years) to join our Safety AI team in Schönaich (close to Stuttgart). You will own the development and productization of machine learning systems that give humanoid robots semantic awareness and reliable safety behavior — from intent recognition to AI-based fall strategies. This is a role for someone who has shipped ML into real-time, safety-relevant systems and wants to set the technical direction for one of the harder problems in humanoid robotics.

HERE'S WHERE YOU MAKE AN IMPACT

• Own the integration of multimodal foundation models into our robot safety stack, taking systems from architecture through to production deployment
• Design, build, and productize AI-based fall strategy controllers, driving technical decisions on one of the genuinely open problems in humanoid deployment
• Architect and optimize ML model inference within the real-time robot control loop, balancing model performance against hard timing constraints
• Define benchmarking methodology and lead the evaluation of behavioral safety classifiers for semantic intent recognition across simulation and deployment
• Establish evaluation frameworks for AI safety behavior aligned with ISO/IEC TR 5469, setting standards and best practices the team builds on
• Mentor and review the work of more junior engineers and contribute to the technical roadmap of the Safety AI team

WHO YOU ARE

• At least 3 years of professional experience building and deploying ML systems in production, ideally in robotics, autonomous systems, or another safety-relevant domain
• Demonstrated experience integrating ML inference pipelines with ROS2 in real-time control contexts
• Hands-on experience fine-tuning and adapting foundation models for specific applications, not just deploying them off the shelf
• A track record of code ownership, sound system design, and engineering best practices (testing, reproducibility, documentation)
• Deep interest in safety-critical AI as a hard technical and methodological problem, not a compliance checkbox
• Solid mathematical foundation in linear algebra, optimization, and probability

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• A warm, international team that truly enjoys working together
• Plenty of creative freedom and the opportunity to make a real impact
• Flexible working hours and hybrid work options
• Short decision-making paths, flat hierarchies, and open communication
• Professional development opportunities and exciting projects
• 30 days of paid vacation
• Full-time position (40 hours/week) with a permanent contract
• Company pension scheme through Dyno
• Flexible working hours when life takes unexpected turns
• Company-supported gym memberships through Wellpass
• A company-sponsored health program (WLP app, regular physical activities, nutritional coaching, and more)
• Job bike program to support a healthy commute (optional)
• Birthday vouchers
• Snacks and fresh fruit for all employees, plus breakfast every Monday
• Free drinks and coffee, of course
• Regular global team-building events such as bootcamps, ski trips, and summer BBQs — spouses and children are warmly invited to Friday BBQ events
• Modern office spaces