Research Engineer (Embodied AI Manipulation)

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NTU Singapore seeks a Research Engineer to push forward embodied AI and robotic manipulation research. You will develop perception and control algorithms for robotic arms, integrate multimodal AI models, and run experiments in both simulated and real-world settings.

Collaboration with faculty and industry partners is expected, with responsibility for publications and lab operations. The role requires a Master’s degree and hands-on experience with robotic arms, ROS/MoveIt, and Python/C++.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with at least one top-tier first-author journal or conference paper.
• Experience in robotic perception, control, or learning-based methods.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for AI and robotics applications.
• Familiarity with ROS/MoveIt and hardware integration.
• Hands-on experience with robotic arms (UR5, Franka Emika) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement perception and control algorithms for robotic arms and embodied AI systems.
• Assist in integrating multimodal AI models (vision, language, force sensors) with robotic systems.
• Conduct experiments in both simulated and real-world environments, testing AI-driven robotic behavior.
• Work with hardware platforms, including robotic manipulators and mobile robots.
• Support the preparation of research publications, reports, and presentations.
• Collaborate with faculty, postdocs, and industry partners on AI and robotics research projects.
• Assist in the maintenance and operation of research lab equipment and robotic systems.

Skills

Robotic perception

Robot control

Learning-based methods

Python

C++

ROS/MoveIt

Hardware integration

Machine learning

Reinforcement learning

Vision-language models

Robotic arms experience

Education

Master’s degree in CS/Robotics/ME/EE

Tools

ROS

MoveIt

Job description

The School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) is a robust, dynamic and multi-disciplinary international research community comprising of world-class scientists and bright students. MAE prides itself in its excellent research capabilities in areas including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biomedical, energy, industrial engineering, maritime engineering, robotics, etc. The school is equipped with state-of-the-art research infrastructure, housing a comprehensive range of cluster laboratories, test bedding facilities, research centres/institutes and corporate laboratories. Cutting-edge research in MAE addresses the immediate needs of our industries and supports the nation’s long-term development strategies. In the new era of industrial 4.0 and sustainable living, MAE is rigorous in developing new competencies to support the growth and competitiveness of our engineering sector in the global landscape. MAE has grown to be leader in Engineering Research, ranking amongst the top engineering schools in the world. For more details, please view https://www.ntu.edu.sg/mae/research.

Our team is seeking a highly motivated Research Engineer to contribute to cutting-edge research in embodied AI and robotic manipulation. This role will support our mission to advance AI-driven robotic systems for real-world applications, including human-robot interaction, robotic perception, and intelligent control. The successful candidate will assist in developing novel algorithms and integrating them into robotic platforms, helping to push the boundaries of embodied intelligence in both research and practical deployment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement perception and control algorithms for robotic arms and embodied AI systems.
• Assist in integrating multimodal AI models (vision, language, force sensors) with robotic systems.
• Conduct experiments in both simulated and real-world environments, testing AI-driven robotic behavior.
• Work with hardware platforms, including robotic manipulators and mobile robots.
• Support the preparation of research publications, reports, and presentations.
• Collaborate with faculty, postdocs, and industry partners on AI and robotics research projects.
• Assist in the maintenance and operation of research lab equipment and robotic systems.

Job Requirements:

• Master’s degree with at least 1 top-tier first-author journal or conference paper in Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in robotic perception, control, or learning-based methods.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for AI and robotics applications.
• Familiarity with robotic middleware (e.g., ROS, MoveIt) and hardware integration.
• Knowledge of machine learning, reinforcement learning, or vision-language models for robotics is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with robotic arms (e.g., UR5, Franka Emika, or similar) is desirable.

Hiring Institution: NTU A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, established jointly with Imperial College London. NTU is also home to world-class autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N). Ranked amongst the world’s top universities by QS, NTU has also been named the world’s top young university for the past seven years. The University’s main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and has 57 Green Mark-certified (equivalent to LEED-certified) buildings, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district. Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.

For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg.