Senior AI Software Engineer, Perception

Agility Robotics; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 197,000 - 307,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Equity stock options

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Parental leave

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

On-site lunches

Job summary

Agility Robotics is seeking a Senior AI Software Engineer, Perception to design and implement perception algorithms that let Digit understand and safely navigate around humans and hazards in open, dynamic spaces. You will drive adoption of cutting-edge perception models and work across robotics teams to ensure the perception system integrates with navigation, controls, and hardware.

The role emphasizes ML for safety-critical contexts, model optimization for embedded hardware, and MLOps

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in AI/Robotics/CS or related field.
• Proven ML/perception experience in robotics or safety-critical contexts.
• Strong background in CNNs, tracking, detection and pose estimation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy perception algorithms for safe operation in dynamic environments.
• Evaluate and adopt state-of-the-art perception models for future robot architectures.
• Promote best practices in model design, testing, and deployment.
• Optimize models and data pipelines for embedded CPU/GPU execution (CUDA).
• Define verification and validation standards for ML-based perception in safety-critical scenarios.
• Collaborate with navigation, controls, and hardware teams to serve the whole robot.

Skills

ML/Perception

CNNs

Multi-Object Tracking

Human Detection

Pose Estimation

MLOps

CUDA Inference

CPU/GPU Optimization

Education

Master's or PhD in AI/Robotics/CS

Tools

PyTorch/TensorFlow

CUDA

MLOps Tools

Job description

Agility’s commercially deployed humanoids operate alongside teams in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers—tackling physically demanding and repetitive tasks while enabling workers to focus on higher-value work. With industry-leading safety standards and years of proven deployment data, we're pioneering a new era of automation that enhances human potential.

Agility Robotics builds Digit, the world's first commercially deployed humanoid robot — already at work in real warehouses and manufacturing facilities today. Digit has proven itself in structured work cells, and now we're pushing beyond them: into open floors, shared aisles, and dynamic spaces where people, forklifts, and other robots are all moving at once. That shift raises the bar for perception dramatically — Digit needs to reliably understand and react to environments that are no longer predictable or controlled.

That means perception isn't just about capability — it's about trust. Every person Digit works near is counting on our perception systems to see them, understand them, and never get it wrong, whether Digit is in a fixed work cell or navigating a busy, ever-changing facility. We're looking for a Senior AI Software Engineer, Perception to own the design and implementation of the algorithms that let Digit perceive its surroundings and stay safe as we take on these more dynamic, less constrained environments.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and deploy perception algorithms (e.g., human detection algorithm) that enable safety and efficiency, defining how Digit perceives and reasons about humans and hazards as it expands from structured work cells into open, dynamic environments
• Drive adoption of state-of-the-art perception models by evaluating emerging research and technology and deciding what's worth building into future robot architectures
• Promote best practices in model design, implementation and testing to deliver high‑quality, scalable software
• Optimize deep neural networks and associated data pipelines to run efficiently on embedded systems (e.g., model structure optimization, CUDA inference etc.)
• Set standards for verification and validation of ML‑based perception models, especially for rare and safety‑critical scenarios
• Collaborate across navigation, controls, and hardware teams to ensure the perception model serves the whole robot

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in machine learning/perception for robotics
• Master's or Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related discipline, with a strong foundation in machine learning, robotics, and intelligent systems
• Demonstrated experience building ML/perception systems for safety‑critical or safety‑rated contexts — human detection, automotive, robotics, or a comparable regulated domain
• Deep expertise in convolutional neural networks, multi‑object tracking, human detection, data association, supervised learning, and pose estimation, with strong intuition for where these approaches break down in unpredictable, real‑world conditions
• Experience designing and optimizing algorithms for efficient execution across CPU and GPU architectures
• Experience with MLOps, including data annotation services, data storage, model evaluation tools, and model deployment
• Publications in the field (CVPR, ICCV, RSS, ICRA preferred)

Nice to Haves

• Experience designing and implementing perception systems for humanoid or legged robots specifically
• Experience building systems based on multiple sensor modalities including camera, lidar, infrared camera.
• Knowledge in traditional geometric computer vision and sensor hardware etc.

This a hybrid position based out of one of our Salem, Pittsburgh, or Fremont offices.

The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to: market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. This range may change based on geographical location and may be modified in the future.

Anticipated Salary Range

$197,000 — $307,000 USD

In addition to base pay, our competitive total rewards package consists of the following for full‑time employees:

• 401(k) Plan:Includes a 6% company match.
• Equity:Company stock options.
• Insurance Coverage:100% company‑paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long‑term disability insurance for employees.
• Benefit Start Date:Eligible for benefits on your first day of employment.
• Well‑Being Support:Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Time Off:
  • Exempt Employees:Flexible, unlimited PTO and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown.
  • Non‑Exempt Employees:10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually.
• On‑Site Perks:Catered lunches four times a week and a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations.
• Parental Leave:Generous paid parental leave programs.
• Work Environment:A culture that supports flexible work arrangements.
• Growth Opportunities:Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.
• Relocation Assistance:Provided for eligible roles.
• Annual Discretionary Bonus:Provided for eligible roles.

All of our roles are U.S.-based. Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States.

Agility Robotics is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits unlawful discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, it is the policy of Agility Robotics to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Agility Robotics prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.

Agility Robotics does not accept unsolicited referrals from third‑party recruiting agencies. We prioritize direct applicants and encourage all qualified candidates to apply directly through our careers page. If you are represented by a third party, your application may not be considered. To ensure full consideration, please apply directly.