Robotics / Physical AI Researcher

Autonomique; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Job summary

Autonomique is a Physical AI company building intelligent robotic systems for complex, real-world work. We are hiring experienced robotics engineers to shape the core intelligence and software behind our robots, with ownership over technical roadmap alongside the founding team.

You will architect systems spanning robot learning, manipulation, perception, task planning, and control, focusing on reliable deployment outside the lab. Significant equity participation reflects the role's value.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in Robotics, CS, or related field with significant industry experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience shipping code for physical robots.
• Deep expertise in manipulation planning, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning.
• Production-level proficiency in Python and C++ with robust, maintainable systems.

Responsibilities

• Define the Stack: Architect algorithms and software systems powering the robot fleet.
• Deploy robust manipulation algorithms for complex bimanual tasks in dynamic environments.
• Develop learning-based robot behaviors using diffusion policy, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning.
• Contribute to end-to-end robot autonomy systems linking perception, task understanding, and low-level control.
• Produce high-quality, production-grade software for the robotics stack.
• Optimize and scale robotic software to maximize throughput and reliability.

Skills

Manipulation planning

Imitation learning

Reinforcement learning

Python

C++

Education

PhD or MS in Robotics/CS or related field

Tools

Diffusion Policy

ROS

Robotics middleware

Job description

Autonomique is a Physical AI company building intelligent robotic systems for complex, real-world work. We are focused on solving fundamental challenges inrobot autonomy, dexterous manipulation, and reliable deployment.

Our bimanual robotic systems are already being deployed in manufacturing environments, where they perform demanding manipulation tasks that require precision, adaptability, and robust operation.

Role Description

We are looking for experienced robotics engineers/researchers to help build the core intelligence and software systems behind our robots.

This is ahigh-impact, high-ownership rolefor someone who wants to shape the technical roadmap alongside the founding team. You will architect and implement systems spanning robot learning, manipulation, perception, task planning, and control, with a clear focus on making advanced robotics work reliably outside the lab.

You will have meaningful influence over both the product and the company, supported bysignificant equity participationthat reflects the value and impact of the role.

What You'll Do

• Define the Stack: Work directly with leadership to architect the algorithms and software systems that will power our entire fleet of robots.
• Deploy Robust Manipulation Algorithms: Design and implement algorithms for complex bimanual tasks (pick/place, insertion, tool use) that don't just work in the lab but perform reliably in dynamic industrial environments.
• Develop learning-based robot behaviors using approaches such as Diffusion Policy, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning to improve performance, robustness, and recovery.
• Contribute to end-to-end robot autonomy systems that connect perception, semantic task understanding, and low-level robot control.
• Production-Grade Engineering: Write, review, and maintain mission-critical code for our core robotics stack, establishing the engineering standards for the entire company.
• Optimize & Scale: Continuously profile robotic software to maximize throughput and reliability across our growing fleet of deployed robots.

Qualifications

• Education: PhD or MS in Robotics, CS, or related field with significant industry experience.
• Experience: 3+ years of hands-on experience shipping code for physical robots (not just simulation).
• Technical Expertise: Deep expertise in manipulation planning, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning.
• Engineering Excellence: Production-level proficiency in Python and C++ with a track record of building robust, maintainable systems.

Why Join Us

• Ownership: We offer a substantial equity package designed for those who believe in our mission and want to be rewarded for the company's long-term success.
• Impact: Work directly on real-world projects and see your code deployed in the real world immediately.
• Culture: A collaborative, high-velocity supportive environment conducive to both personal and professional growth.
• Room to grow:Take on increasing technical and organizational leadership as the team and deployment footprint expand.
• Generous medical, retirement, vacations, and WfH with supportive culture.

Logistics

• Location: Menlo Park, CA or Montreal, QC