Lead Perception Engineer

Energize Group; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Energize Group in Boston, MA, is seeking a Lead Perception Engineer to own the perception stack as the product scales. You will lead a team of engineers while remaining hands-on, guiding concept, algorithm design, sensor integration and field deployment.

Join a robotics company applying automated systems to automotive-scale operations. You will mentor staff, collaborate with mechanical, software and QA teams, and push for robust, real-world perception solutions using both classical and ML

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in robotics or computer vision engineering.
• 2–3 years in leadership roles.
• Expert Python and C++ programming; Rust valued.
• Experience designing vision systems for robotic applications.
• ML pipelines with PyTorch; OpenCV and PCL proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead perception team across concept, design, integration and validation.
• Design and build high-performance perception pipelines using classical and ML methods.
• Debug hands-on across lab, test and field environments.
• Set and maintain coding standards and engineering best practices.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software and QA teams to deliver integrated products.
• Mentor and develop engineers on the perception team.

Skills

Robotics fundamentals

Leadership

Python

C++

PyTorch

OpenCV

PCL

Robot debugging

Education

MS/PhD in CS/CV/ML

Tools

ROS2

Job description

Our client is a venture-backed robotics company building automated systems for the automotive industry. They take on a high-volume, labor-intensive service process with robotics that is already deployed in customer environments. The team is growing, and this hire will lead perception as the product scales.

About the Role

The Lead Perception Engineer will lead a team of engineers while staying hands-on technically. The role owns perception across the full development lifecycle: concept, algorithm design, sensor integration, validation and field deployment. It covers both classical and machine learning approaches, and it sits at the center of a cross-functional engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical execution of perception, including algorithm design, sensor integration and real-world validation
• Design and build high-performance perception pipelines using classical and ML-based methods
• Debug hands-on across the lab, test and field environments
• Set and maintain high standards for code quality and engineering best practice
• Work closely with mechanical, software and QA teams to deliver a reliable, integrated product
• Mentor and develop engineers on the perception team

Requirements

• 8 to 10 years of experience in robotics or computer vision engineering
• 2 to 3 years in a formal or informal leadership role
• Strong grasp of robotics fundamentals
• Expert-level programming in Python and C++ (Rust experience is valued)
• Proven experience designing vision systems for robotic applications
• Experience building ML pipelines with PyTorch
• Proficiency with OpenCV and PCL
• Hands-on experience debugging perception systems on physical robots in real-world environments

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Vision, Machine Learning or a related field
• Experience with the ROS2 ecosystem

What's on Offer

• A lead role with ownership of the perception stack at a growing robotics company
• A product with a clear commercial use case and systems already deployed in the field
• Competitive salary and benefits