Principal Software Engineer, Perception

True; California; Hybrid; USD 300,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Unknown is seeking a staff-level perception engineer to drive the technical direction of perception for autonomous maritime vehicles. You will design systems that fuse sensor data into reliable navigation and autonomy in challenging ocean environments.

Responsibilities include defining architectures across sensor fusion, localization, tracking, mapping, and uncertainty estimation, and integrating radar and camera data into outputs for downstream autonomy.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in sensor fusion, localization, state estimation, tracking, mapping, and probabilistic estimation.
• Hands-on ownership of production perception systems for autonomous vehicles or robots.
• Strong mathematical and algorithmic foundations in computer vision, machine learning, and related areas.

Responsibilities

• Define architecture across sensor fusion, localization, tracking, mapping, and uncertainty estimation.
• Integrate heterogeneous sensors, including radar and cameras, into reliable perception outputs for downstream autonomy.
• Partner with autonomy, navigation, and applied machine learning teams to support safe vehicle behavior.

Skills

Sensor fusion

Localization

State estimation

Tracking

Mapping

Probabilistic estimation

C++

Python

Edge computing

Education

Advanced degree in a relevant field

Tools

Radar processing

Camera integration

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Set the technical direction for perception on autonomous maritime vehicles. You will lead the design of systems that combine sensor data into reliable information for navigation and autonomy in challenging ocean environments.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Define architecture across sensor fusion, localization, tracking, mapping, and uncertainty estimation.
• Integrate heterogeneous sensors, including radar and cameras, into reliable perception outputs for downstream autonomy.
• Partner with autonomy, navigation, and applied machine learning teams to support safe vehicle behavior.
• Translate research and algorithms into production software that meets constraints on edge compute, latency, sensors, and environmental conditions.
• Guide technical decisions and reviews, solve complex problems hands-on, and mentor senior engineers.
• Shape data labeling, ground-truth datasets, and evaluation frameworks for ongoing system improvement.
• Contribute to team growth through technical leadership, hiring, and mentorship.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• At least 8 years of experience in perception or robotics engineering, operating at staff level or above.
• Hands-on ownership of production perception systems for autonomous vehicles or robots.
• Deep expertise in sensor fusion, localization, state estimation, tracking, mapping, and probabilistic estimation.
• Strong mathematical and algorithmic foundations in computer vision, machine learning, and related areas.
• Experience with onboard software and deploying inference on constrained compute under latency requirements.
• Familiarity with C++, Python, edge computing, and sensor modalities such as radar and cameras; maritime or ocean autonomy experience is a plus.
• An advanced degree in a relevant field is a plus.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or green card holder. Visa sponsorship or transfer is not available.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: $300,000 to $380,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.

LOCATION

Hybrid, three days per week in Alameda, California, United States.