Director of Perception

5V Tech; United States; Remote; USD 280,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual equity grant

Remote work in the US

Full benefits

Job summary

5V Tech is seeking a Director of Perception to own perception and localization across its autonomous heavy equipment fleet. You will lead a growing team of engineers, shape the sensor strategy, and guide build-versus-buy decisions while reporting to the CTO. The role demands deep LiDAR/3D perception expertise and a proven leadership track record.

The position is fully remote in the US and offers a base salary of $280K–$350K plus meaningful equity and benefits. Visa sponsorship is available.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in perception with 3D perception shipped on vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Experience managing managers or leads, running a perception team of 8+.
• Deep technical knowledge of LiDAR, point clouds and fusion in production C++.
• Track record of hiring and growing strong perception engineers.

Responsibilities

• Own perception and localization across the fleet and scale the team.
• Define perception roadmap, sensor strategy and build-versus-buy decisions.
• Oversee field performance, safety cases and reporting to CTO.

Skills

Perception leadership

People management

LiDAR/3D perception

Production C++

Hiring & mentoring engineers

Tools

LiDAR sensors

Point clouds

Sensor fusion

Job description

Director of Perception – Autonomous Heavy Equipment | Series C | US Remote | $280-350K base + equity

A Series C autonomy company is turning construction and mining equipment into fully autonomous machines. Its fleet of 300+ machines is already doing paid work on job sites across 15 states, with no safety drivers and no waiting on regulators. Customers are signing multi-year contracts, the company has just closed its Series C, and the fleet is set to double next year.

They’re hiring a Director of Perception to own perception and localization across the fleet and scale the organisation behind it.

The company

• Series C, recently closed, with around 250 employees
• 300+ machines in commercial service, past the pilot stage
• An engineering-led culture; the CTO previously led autonomy at a major AV programme

What you’ll own

• Perception and localization across the fleet: LiDAR, camera and radar fusion on 40-tonne machines
• A perception organisation of 12 engineers across two teams, growing to 25
• Two team leads reporting to you, with more to hire as you scale
• The perception roadmap, sensor strategy and build-versus-buy decisions
• Field performance and safety cases as the fleet doubles, reporting directly to the CTO

What success looks like in year one

• Field obstacle detection and localization measurably more reliable across the fleet
• Organisation grown to 20, with a third team stood up and led
• A multi-year perception roadmap owned and agreed with the CTO and CEO

Must-haves

• 10+ years in perception, with 3D perception shipped on vehicles, robots or drones in the field
• Currently managing managers or leads, or running a perception team of 8+
• Technical enough to go deep on LiDAR, point clouds and fusion in production C++
• A track record of hiring and growing strong perception engineers

Especially relevant:

perception leadership in robotaxi, trucking or delivery vehicles, agricultural or mining autonomy, and outdoor drones.

The package

• $280K–$350K base, plus annual bonus, meaningful equity and full benefits
• Fully remote in the US
• No security clearance required; visa sponsorship available

The process

Four stages: CTO intro, technical and leadership deep dive, team panel, then CEO. Usually completed within three weeks. I’ll prepare you for each stage and give you feedback after every one.