2026 Applied Science Internship United States PhD Student Science Recruiting Frontier AI Robotics

Amazon; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 222,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon is seeking an Applied Science Intern to join an elite team in robotics research in San Francisco, CA or Seattle, WA. The intern will work with leaders in AI/robotics on problems at the intersection of large language models and robotics, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, computer vision, and motion planning.

The role requires a PhD enrollment, relocation to the internship location, strong programming in Java/C++/Python, and full-time availability for 12 weeks from May 2026

Qualifications

• PhD enrollment required.
• Must relocate to internship location.
• Experience programming in Java, C++, Python.
• Must be available for full‑time (40 hours per week) internship for the whole duration.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel scalable algorithms for LLMs and AI in robotics.
• Work on production-scale data for perception, manipulation, and control.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in deep learning, RL, CV, and motion planning.
• Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Skills

ML & robotics

Publications

Python

PyTorch/JAX

Team collaboration

Education

PhD candidate

Tools

Java

C++

Python

OpenCV

Job description

Description

Are you a brilliant mind seeking to push the boundaries of what's possible with intelligent robotics? Join our elite team of researchers and engineers - led by Pieter Abeel, Rocky Duan, and Peter Chen - at the forefront of applied science, where we're harnessing the latest advancements in large language models (LLMs) and generative AI to reshape the world of robotics and unlock new realms of innovation. As an Applied Science Intern, you'll have the unique opportunity to work alongside world-renowned experts, gaining invaluable hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge robotics technologies. You'll dive deep into exciting research projects at the intersection of AI and robotics. This internship is not just about executing tasks - it's about being a driving force behind groundbreaking discoveries. You'll collaborate with cross‑functional teams, leveraging your expertise in areas such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, computer vision, and motion planning to tackle real‑world problems and deliver impactful solutions. Throughout your journey, you'll have access to unparalleled resources, including state‑of‑the‑art computing infrastructure, cutting‑edge research papers, and mentorship from industry luminaries. This immersive experience will not only sharpen your technical skills but also cultivate your ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and thrive in a fast‑paced, innovative environment where bold ideas are celebrated. Join us at the forefront of applied robotics and AI, where your contributions will shape the future of intelligent systems and propel humanity forward. Seize this extraordinary opportunity to learn, grow, and leave an indelible mark on the world of technology. Must be eligible and available for a full‑time (40h/ week) 12 week internship between May 2026 and September 2026. Amazon has positions available in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA. The ideal candidate should possess:

• Strong background in machine learning, deep learning, and/or robotics
• Publication record at science conferences such as NeurIPS, CVPR, ICRA, RSS, CoRL, and ICLR.
• Experience in areas such as multimodal LLMs, world models, image/video tokenization, real2Sim/Sim2real transfer, bimanual manipulation, open‑vocabulary panoptic scene understanding, scaling up multi‑modal LLMs, and end‑to‑end vision‑language‑action models.
• Proficiency in Python, Experience with PyTorch or JAX
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team

Key job responsibilities

• Develop novel, scalable algorithms and modeling techniques that advance the state‑of‑the‑art in areas at the intersection of LLMs and generative AI for robotics
• Tackle challenging, groundbreaking research problems on production‑scale data, with a focus on robotic perception, manipulation, and control
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to solve complex business problems, leveraging your expertise in areas such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, computer vision, and motion planning
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, thrive in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders

Basic Qualifications

• Are enrolled in a PhD
• Can relocate to where the internship is based
• Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
• Must be eligible for and available for full‑time (40 hours per week) internship for the whole duration of the internship/co‑op

Preferred Qualifications

• Have publications at top‑tier peer‑reviewed conferences or journals
• Experience in designing experiments and statistical analysis of results

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The starting pay for this position is listed below. Final starting pay will be based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Starting Day 1 of employment, Amazon offers EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, 401(k) matching. Learn more about our benefits at https://hiring.amazon.com/why-amazon/benefits .

USA, CA, San Francisco - 171,600.00 - 222,200.00 USD annually