Hardware Engineer, Tactile Sensing Research, DeepMind

Google DeepMind; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 212,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Google DeepMind in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Tactile Sensing Researcher to invent and validate novel transduction methods for a range of robot end effectors. You will bridge materials science and sensing, designing thin, conformal sensor arrays and collaborating with AI researchers to integrate tactile data into closed-loop control.

Responsibilities include exploring new sensing modalities, using COMSOL/Ansys for modeling, defining materials and substrates, and prototyping sensor arrays across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience working on tactile sensing or flexible electronics.
• PhD in Materials Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a relevant technical field.
• 8 years of experience with published contributions to the field of tactile sensing or flexible electronics.

Responsibilities

• Own the exploration and design of novel tactile sensing modalities tailored for a versatile suite of custom robotic manipulators.
• Utilize expert simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL, Ansys) to model the complex interactions between materials and sensing elements.
• Define technical fabrics and elastomeric substrates with specific mechanical properties and implement manufacturing techniques to prototype novel sensor arrays.
• Partner with AI researchers to align sensor hardware with manipulation algorithms, ensuring tactile data is effectively utilized for closed-loop control across various form factors.
• Establish testing protocols to evaluate sensor performance in simulation-to-reality environments across multiple manipulation platforms.

Skills

Tactile sensing

Materials science

Robotics

Electrical engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Robotics/Electrical Engineering

Tools

COMSOL

ANSYS

Job description

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience working on tactile sensing or flexible electronics.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a relevant technical field.
• 8 years of experience with published contributions to the field of tactile sensing or flexible electronics.

About the job

As a Tactile Sensing Researcher, you will not only select off-the-shelf sensors; you will invent, design, and validate novel transduction methods. You are a first-principles researcher that understands how material properties can be utilized to create novel sensing solutions. You will bridge the gap between material science and sensing, creating thin, conformal sensing arrays adaptable to a range of end effectors in support of our dexterous manipulation research across many robot embodiments.

Artificial intelligence will be one of humanity's most transformative inventions. At Google DeepMind, we are a pioneering AI lab with exceptional interdisciplinary teams focused on advancing AI development to solve complex global challenges and accelerate high-quality product innovation for billions of users. We use our technologies for widespread public benefit and scientific discovery, ensuring safety and ethics are always our highest priority.

We are pushing the boundaries across multiple domains. Our global teams offer diverse learning opportunities and varied career pathways for those driven to achieve exceptional results through collective effort.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $212000 - $230000 (USD) + 15% bonus target

Responsibilities

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Own the exploration and design of novel tactile sensing modalities tailored for a versatile suite of custom robotic manipulators.
• Utilize expert simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL, Ansys) to model the complex interactions between materials and sensing elements.
• Define technical fabrics and elastomeric substrates with specific mechanical properties and implement manufacturing techniques to prototype novel sensor arrays.
• Partner with AI researchers to align sensor hardware with manipulation algorithms, ensuring tactile data is effectively utilized for closed-loop control across various form factors.
• Establish testing protocols to evaluate sensor performance in simulation-to-reality environments across multiple manipulation platforms.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .