Senior Applied Scientist, Navigation

The Robot Age; Sunnyvale, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Robotics is hiring a senior applied scientist focused on robot navigation. The role combines learning-based planning, foundation models for embodied agents, and control-theoretic methods such as model-predictive trajectory planning.

The work targets navigation systems that move safely through changing environments, not just static benchmarks, with cross-functional collaboration across robotics, software, and product teams.

Qualifications

• Senior applied-science experience in robotics navigation, planning, control, or embodied AI.
• Strong background in learning-based planning and foundation models for embodied agents.
• Ability to lead research toward robust real-world robotic deployment with cross-functional impact.

Responsibilities

• Research navigation systems combining data-driven learning with control guarantees.
• Develop planning and perception methods for dynamic robotics environments.
• Bridge academic advances with production-grade deployment needs.
• Collaborate with robotics, software, and product teams on navigation metrics.

Skills

Robotics navigation

Learning-based planning

Model-predictive control

Embodied AI

Communication

Tools

ROS

Python

TensorFlow

Job description

What the role actually is

Amazon Robotics is hiring a senior applied scientist focused on robot navigation. The role combines learning-based planning, foundation models for embodied agents, and control-theoretic methods such as model-predictive trajectory planning.

The work is aimed at navigation systems that can move safely and fluidly through changing operational environments rather than only passing static benchmarks.

What you would work on

• Research navigation systems that combine data-driven learning with control guarantees
• Develop planning and perception methods for dynamic robotics environments
• Connect academic advances in embodied AI with production-grade deployment needs
• Collaborate with robotics, software, and product teams on navigation capabilities and metrics

What they are asking for

• Senior applied-science experience in robotics navigation, planning, control, or embodied AI
• Depth in learning-based planning, foundation models, or model-predictive control
• Ability to lead research toward robust real-world robotic deployment
• Communication skills for cross-functional work with scientists, engineers, and product managers

Why this one is worth a look

Navigation is one of the places where autonomy becomes visible to nearby humans. A system can be technically capable and still feel unsafe or illegible if it moves poorly, so this is a research role with direct consequences for human-facing robot behavior.