Engineer– Embodied AI Lab Automation: Vision-Guided Real Time Robotic Manipulation

Brookhaven National Laboratory; New York (NY); On-site; USD 71,900 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory is offering an exciting opportunity for an engineer in the Embodied AI Lab to focus on developing automated systems for protein crystal harvesting. This position involves working collaboratively with a diverse team, aiming to integrate machine vision and robotics into laboratory applications.

The ideal candidate will have a robust background in robotics, embodied AI, and necessary programming skills. A competitive salary range between $71,900 and $119,000 is offered based on experience and education, making this an attractive opportunity for qualified applicants.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing robotics systems.
• Knowledge of robot kinematics and coordinate transformations.
• Experience with system calibration methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop vision-guided real-time robotic manipulation methods.
• Integrate perception outputs with motion planning and execution.
• Collaborate with domain experts for system evaluation.

Skills

Robotic systems development

Python programming

C++ programming

Motion planning

Calibration methods

Education

B.S. in Robotics, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field

Tools

ROS2

MoveIt2

Job description

## Engineer– Embodied AI Lab Automation: Vision-Guided Real Time Robotic ManipulationApplylocations: Upton, NYtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: JR102534Brookhaven National Laboratory’s National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is seeking an engineer to develop an automated protein crystal harvesting system at the Center for BioMolecular Structure (CBMS).***This position is a 2-year term, with the possibility of renewal contingent on performance and funding availability***The successful candidate will develop vision-guided robotic manipulation capabilities for detecting, tracking, and harvesting fragile micron-scale protein crystals suspended in liquid droplets. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team of crystallographers, beamline scientists, controls engineers, mechanical engineers, and data scientists, the candidate will help integrate computer vision, machine learning, and robotic manipulation into an automated crystal harvesting platform.This is a hands-on role centered on building and deploying closed-loop perception, visual servoing, and robotic control systems in a real laboratory environment. The position offers the opportunity to advance machine vision, robotic manipulation, and embodied AI techniques while addressing a scientifically impactful problem in structural biology.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities:*** Develop and implement vision-guided real-time robotic manipulation methods for crystal harvesting* Design and deploy closed-loop perception and control pipelines using visual feedback* Contribute to vision-based servoing approaches for precise, real-time positioning* Integrate perception outputs with motion planning and execution using ROS2 and MoveIt2* Perform system calibration (e.g., hand-eye calibration, camera calibration) to ensure accurate 3D spatial alignment* Evaluate and improve system robustness, including perception uncertainty and failure modes* Collaborate closely with domain experts across crystallography, controls, and engineering* Participate in system testing, tuning, and performance evaluation* Document methods and results; contribute to reports, publications, and presentations**Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:*** B.S. in Robotics, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field* Demonstrated experience developing and implementing robotics systems.* Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++* Knowledge of robotic systems: + Robot kinematics and coordinate transformations + Motion planning and trajectory generation. + Calibration methods**Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:*** M.S. in Robotics, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field* Experience developing robotic systems that integrate vision-guided control in real-world settings* Experience working with ROS2-based ecosystems* Experience with camera calibration, hand-eye calibration, and coordinate frame registration* Experience integrating machine learning models into robotics* Familiarity with: + Micro-Manipulation + Sensor fusion or state estimation + Real-time system debugging and performance tuning**What Success Looks Like:*** Development of a system capable of reliably detecting and localizing protein crystals* Implementation of closed-loop robotic manipulation using visual feedback* Improved robustness and reliability of the crystal harvesting process under real-world conditions**Additional Information:*** This is an on-site position based at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York.**Other Information:*** Candidates should submit a brief cover letter outlining how their experience and career goals are suitable for the position* Candidates must have completed all degree requirements by the commencement of employment* Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $71,900-$119,000 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.