Robot Perception Engineer - Smart Robotics

Brightmachines; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bright Machines is seeking a Robot Perception Engineer on the Smart Robotics team to develop visual inspection solutions across the production pipeline. You will advance algorithms from prototype to high-throughput production deployments for defect detection and classification, working with cross-functional teams to ensure robustness in real-world factory environments.

The role emphasizes computer vision, deep learning model development, and end-to-end deployment in manufacturing contexts, with

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Optics, or related field.
• Experience in computer vision/ML (1–3 years) and PyTorch or similar frameworks.
• Experience with image acquisition, camera systems, and sensor integration.

Responsibilities

• Develop computer vision and deep learning algorithms for visual inspection and vision-based navigation.
• Design data capture strategies and train/fine-tune models for inspection/navigation tasks.
• Build and maintain data pipelines and MLOps workflows for training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Collaborate with Mechanical engineers to optimize imaging configurations.
• Support model inference optimization for GPU deployment (CUDA, TensorRT).
• Harden perception solutions for production reliability and deploy with field teams.

Skills

Computer vision

Python/PyTorch

Camera systems

3D geometry

Pose estimation

GPU optimization

CUDA/TensorRT

C/C++

MLOps

Data labeling/annotation

Robotics/vision (ROS2, SLAM)

Quality systems in manufacturing

Education

BS/MS in CS/EE/Optics or related

Tools

CUDA

TensorRT

GenICam

Job description

RETHINK MANUFACTURING

Theonly way toignite changeis to build the best team. At Bright Machines®,we’reinnovators and experts in our craft who have joined together tomando manufacture the AI and data center infrastructureat the edge. We believeunifyingsoftware, intelligent automation, anddataisthe answerto delivering qualityand flexibilityatscale. We deliver products to meet the demands of today whilecontinuously investing in our Bright Factory modelto take advantage of what comes next.

Working with us meansyou’llhave the opportunity to make lasting, impactful changes for our company and our customers. Ifyou’reready to apply your exceptional skills toa brighter way of manufacturing AI infrastructure,we’dlove to speak with you.

As a Robot Perception Engineer on the Smart Robotics team at Bright Machines, you will be a hands‑on contributor developing visual inspection solutions for our automation platform. You will work across the full pipeline—from algorithm development to production deployment—helping turn prototype inspection capabilities into reliable, high‑throughput features that operate at scale across our automation lines. In this role, you will develop and optimize computer vision and deep learning models for defect detection, classification, and visual validation. You will collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, including Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Operations, to build end‑to‑end inspection solutions that deliver consistent, accurate results under real‑world factory conditions.

Responsibilities

• Develop computer vision and deep learning algorithms for visual inspection (defect detection, classification, quality validation) and vision-based navigation (localization, visual servoing, pose estimation)
• Design data capture strategies, apply augmentation techniques, and train/fine‑tune models for inspection and navigation tasks
• Build and maintain data pipelines and MLOps workflows for training, evaluation, model versioning, and production monitoring
• Collaborate with Mechanical engineers to design illumination setups and optimize imaging configurations
• Support model inference optimization for GPU deployment using CUDA, TensorRT, and related frameworks
• Harden perception solutions for production reliability and work with field teams on deployment and customer rollouts

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Optics, or a related field with 1–3 years in computer vision/ML
• Strong Python skills with experience in PyTorch or similar frameworks
• Familiarity with image acquisition, camera systems, and sensor integration
• Solid understanding of imaging systems (cameras, sensors, optics, lighting)
• Familiarity with 3D geometry, pose estimation, and basic electronics for vision systems
• Experience with GPU inference optimization and industrial camera standards (e.g., GigE Vision, GenICam)
• Familiarity with camera sensor characteristics (rolling vs global shutter, dynamic range, noise)
• Exposure to C/C++, MLOps tools, or data annotation workflows
• Experience with data annotation, labeling workflows, and active learning strategies
• Familiarity with robotics/vision topics (SLAM, ROS2, sensor fusion) and manufacturing/quality systems

BE EMPOWERED TO CHANGE AN INDUSTRY

Bright Machines is a next‑generation, AI‑enabled manufacturer focused on data center infrastructure production. Bright Machines uses its proprietary AI‑based robotics and software to assemble AI infrastructure hardware products (i.e., data center servers) for hyperscalers, neoclouds, and leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to reduce their time to revenue. With its Bright Factory model, Bright Machines builds higher quality data center infrastructure at scale, addresses increasing market demands for computing power due to the surge of AI, and answers the call to the U.S. national mandate to reshore manufacturing.

Bright Machines is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an integration center in Guadalajara, Mexico. The company has been recognized as one of Forbes’ AI 50, awarded “Best AI‑based Solution for Manufacturing” by AI Breakthrough, named a “Technology Pioneer” by the World Economic Forum, and highlighted by several other leading technology and innovation organizations.