Embedded Perception Engineer (autonomy systems)

Boring Company; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vis

401(k) plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

The Boring Company in Bastrop, Texas is seeking an Embedded Perception Engineer to advance autonomous TBM systems. You will own perception pipelines, sensor fusion, and real-time modeling for tunnel construction, and you will build robust collision avoidance and planning capabilities for constrained environments.

Ideal candidates have real-world impact deploying autonomous robotics, strong C++/Python skills, and experience with LiDAR, cameras, and inertial sensing in embedded contexts.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant industry experience in robotics.
• Experience deploying autonomous robotics in production environments.
• Strong programming in C++/Python in embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Own and implement perception pipelines for tunnel construction, sensor fusion, CV, and real-time modeling for autonomous TBM operations.
• Build, deploy, and harden collision avoidance systems from raw sensor data to spatial modeling and warnings.
• Implement and maintain path planning for confined tunnel environments with constraint-based navigation.
• Drive end-to-end autonomy from hardware to operations, ensuring reliability in mission-critical scenarios.
• Drive rapid iteration in a vertically integrated team, turning concepts into field-ready hardware-software solutions.

Skills

Real-world impact

Collision avoidance

Computer vision

C++

Python

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Robotics/CS/EE

Tools

LiDAR

Cameras

IMUs

Encoders

Job description

At The Boring Company, we're revolutionizing underground infrastructure with Prufrock, our next-generation Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). We're pushing the boundaries of autonomy to achieve Continuous Mining and Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) operations—making tunneling faster, safer, and more efficient. As we scale the Prufrock fleet, we're seeking exceptional talent to accelerate our autonomy vision.

We're looking for an Embedded Perception Engineer with proven, real-world expertise in building robust autonomous systems for complex environments. Ideal candidates will have shipped production-grade solutions in novel applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and implement advanced perception pipelines for tunnel construction, integrating sensor fusion, computer vision, and real-time modeling to enable fully autonomous TBM operations.
• Build, deploy, and harden collision avoidance systems, from raw sensor data processing to spatial modeling, collision detection/warning algorithms, and reactive control strategies.
• Implement and maintain practical path planning and constraint-based navigation appropriate for confined tunnel environments.
• Drive end-to-end autonomy (hardware-to-operations), ensuring seamless integration with control systems for mission-critical reliability.
• Drive rapid iteration and deployment in a vertically integrated team, turning concepts into operational hardware-software solutions – developing in the lab and validating in the field.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated Real-World Impact: Extensive experience deploying autonomous robotics in production / battle-tested environments (e.g., industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, or similar).
• Collision Avoidance Expertise: Ability to deeply articulate and implement full-stack solutions, including:
  • Sensing pipelines (e.g., LiDAR, cameras, IMUs, onboard encoders).
  • Algorithms for building dynamic spatial models.
  • Detection and prediction of collisions/warnings.
  • Robot reaction logic (e.g., graded responses for proximity alerts vs. emergency halts).
• Extensive Computer/Machine Vision Experience: Mastery in neural networks, object detection/tracking, semantic segmentation, and handling noisy, low-visibility data in real-time.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field, with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong programming skills in C++, Python, or similar, with a track record of optimizing for performance in embedded systems.

Additional Requirements

• Willing to travel to job sites as required to commission & develop new designs, as well as troubleshoot and problem solve existing designs.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary.

Reporting Location: Bastrop, Texas - Headquarters

Culture

We're a team of dedicated, smart, and scrappy people. Our employees are passionate about our mission and determined to innovate at every opportunity.

Benefits

We offer employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, and a competitive amount of equity for all permanent employees.

The Boring Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with The Boring Company is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.