Robotics Research Team Lead: Learning, Perception & Planning

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 188,000 - 244,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) match

Commuting stipend

Home office stipend

Paid time off

Job summary

MERL is seeking a Robotics Team Leader / Senior Research Scientist to lead cutting-edge research in learning, perception, motion planning, and manipulation for robotic systems including quadrupeds and humanoids. You will guide strategic directions and translate research into real-world technologies.

The role requires an independent research agenda, an active publication record, and the ability to work across interdisciplinary R&D teams with MERL and Mitsubishi Electric divisions.

Qualifications

• PhD in Robotics, CS, EE, ME, or a related field.
• 5+ years post Ph.D. preferred with minimum 3 years post-Ph.D. experience; people management a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and alignment of research with business objectives.
• Strong robotics research background with publications in leading conferences.
• Expertise in learning-based robotics, VLA, HRI, manipulation, perception, motion planning, and multi-robot systems.
• Strong programming in C++, Python; familiarity with ROS/ROS2 and MuJoCo.
• Experience validating research on robotic hardware is a plus.
• Proven ability to propose and execute research with impact and good teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Define and guide strategic research directions in robotics manipulation, locomotion, and human-robot interaction.
• Lead and contribute to collaborative projects from concept to experimental validation.
• Coordinate robotics research strategy across MERL and with collaborators in Japan and the Americas.
• Publish research results in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Partner with business units, corporate R&D, and academic groups to execute R&D projects.
• Transfer results and technologies to Mitsubishi Electric’s engineering and product divisions for commercialization.

Skills

Leadership

Robotics

Publications

C++

Python

ROS/ROS2

Communication

Education

PhD in Robotics/CS/EE/ME

Tools

MuJoCo

Git

Job description

MERL is seeking a Robotics Team Leader / Senior Research Scientist to lead cutting-edge research in learning, perception, motion planning, and manipulation for robotic systems including quadrupeds and humanoids. You will guide strategic directions and translate research into real-world technologies.

The role requires an independent research agenda, an active publication record, and the ability to work across interdisciplinary R&D teams with MERL and Mitsubishi Electric divisions.