Lead Perception Engineer

Automated Tire, Inc.; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Automated Tire, Inc. seeks a Lead Perception Engineer to guide a team building robotic perception solutions that blend classical and ML methods. You will own end-to-end development from problem framing and sensor selection to software deployment and field validation.

You will design high-throughput, low-latency perception pipelines, mentor engineers, and collaborate with mechatronics, software, and QA teams to deliver production-ready solutions in real-world automotive service robotics.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of professional software engineering experience in robotics, computer vision, or a closely related field.
• 2-3 years in a formal or informal leadership capacity (Team Lead, Tech Lead, or Mentor) with a track record of guiding technical projects.
• Strong robotics fundamentals: coordinate transforms, sensor calibration, perception pipeline design, system architecture.
• Hands-on, low-level debugging and systematic troubleshooting of complex robotic systems in real-world environments.
• Proficiency in Python, C++ and/or Rust with production-grade, well-tested code for autonomous systems.
• Experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing vision solutions for robotic or automation applications.
• Experience building ML pipelines and optimizing ML models; familiarity with PyTorch and CV libraries.
• Familiarity with depth sensing modalities (LiDAR, stereo, ToF) and sensor fusion.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers through full development lifecycle from concept to field deployment and maintenance.
• Integrate classical and ML image processing for classification, depth sensing, and 3D Reconstruction.
• Select sensors (LIDARs, ToF cameras, stereo vision) for various applications.
• Create AI/ML models to enhance detection, classification, and tracking.
• Develop high-throughput perception pipelines with low latency for real-time operation.
• Hands-on debugging on the shop floor or field for hardware-in-the-loop failures.
• Maintain code quality, reviews, architecture, and mentoring of junior engineers.
• Collaborate with mechanical, systems, mechatronics, software and QA teams to align with product goals.

Skills

Hands-on debugging

Problem solving

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

System architecture

Perception pipelines

Sensor fusion

Coordinate transforms

Real-world validation

Production-grade code

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Computer Vision/ML

Tools

Python

C++

Rust

PyTorch

OpenCV

PCL

Open3D

CUDA

ROS2

Job description

About ATI:

Automated Tire (ATI) is on a mission to reinvent tire changing and wheel balancing using cutting-edge robotics. We are transforming a process that hasn't fundamentally changed in decades into an automated, high-performance system built for the future of automotive service.

About ATI:

Automated Tire (ATI) is on a mission to reinvent tire changing and wheel balancing using cutting-edge robotics. We are transforming a process that hasn't fundamentally changed in decades into an automated, high-performance system built for the future of automotive service.

Founded by experienced entrepreneurs and backed by leading players across the automotive and tire industries, ATI is building technology that will redefine how cars are serviced. Our team combines deep robotics expertise with real world deployment, moving fast from prototype to production and scaling solutions directly in the field.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of robotics and industrial automation, applying cutting-edge AI and ML techniques to develop advanced vision control systems. If you are a perception or computer vision engineer with a passion for solving complex automation challenges, we encourage you to apply and become a key part of our innovative team.

Position Overview:

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Lead Perception Engineer with expertise leading a team of engineers solving difficult robotic perception challenges using both classical and machine learning (ML) approaches. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with developing solutions end to end, including evaluation of the problem, sensor selection, leading software development and evaluating the solution in the real world to ensure success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Technical Execution: Guide a team of engineers through the full development lifecycle, from initial concept, hardware selection and algorithm design to field deployment and maintenance. You will lead the team in the following work:
  • Integrate classical and ML image processing algorithms for classification, depth sensing, and 3D reconstruction
  • Select the optimal sensors (e.g., LIDARs, time-of-flight cameras, stereo vision) for various applications
  • Create AI and ML models to enhance object detection, classification, and tracking capabilities
  • Utilize deep learning techniques to improve system accuracy and efficiency
  • Conduct extensive testing, validation, and calibration to ensure system accuracy and reliability
• System Design: Design and maintain high-throughput perception pipelines, ensuring low latency and high reliability in real-time environments
• Active Debugging: Take a "hands-on" approach to identifying and resolving bottlenecks or failures in the perception stack, including hardware-software integration issues. Willingness to spend time on the shop floor or in the field to debug hardware-in-the-loop failures
• Code Quality & Mentorship: Drive high standards for code reviews, architectural design, and documentation while mentoring junior team members
• Collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, system, mechatronic, software and software quality assurance engineers, and domain experts to ensure solutions are aligned and integrated with product goals

Requirements

• 8-10 years of professional software engineering experience in robotics, computer vision, or a closely related field.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in a formal or informal leadership capacity, such as a Team Lead, Tech Lead, or Mentor, with a track record of guiding technical projects and junior engineers
• Strong foundation in robotics fundamentals, including coordinate transforms, sensor calibration, perception pipeline design, and system architecture
• Proven ability to perform hands-on, low-level debugging and systematic troubleshooting of complex robotic systems in real-world environments
• Expert-level proficiency in Python, C++ and/or Rust with a focus on writing production-grade, well-tested code for autonomous systems
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing vision solutions for robotic or automation applications
• Experience in building ML pipelines and optimizing/productizing ML models
• Proficiency in AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch) and computer vision libraries (e.g., OpenCV, PCL, Open3D, CUDA)
• Familiarity with various depth sensing modalities (e.g., LiDAR, stereo vision, time-of-flight) and sensor fusion
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Experience developing within the ROS2 ecosystem