Senior Perception Hardware Engineer

apptronik; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Apptronik in Austin, TX is seeking a Senior Perception Hardware Engineer specializing in sensor calibration for our Apollo perception stack. You will own calibration architecture, develop intrinsic/extrinsic models, and ensure precise timing across sensors for robust autonomy.

You will design fixtures, write calibration algorithms, and build scalable factory processes, collaborating with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver repeatable, high-precision results.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in perception hardware, computer vision, or robotics, focusing on sensor calibration.
• Deep understanding of 3D geometry, SE(3), quaternions, and non-linear optimization.
• Proficiency in Python and C++, with OpenCV and PCL.
• Hands-on experience with optical components, LiDAR, and MEMS IMUs.
• Ability to translate autonomy requirements into calibrations and tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Define intrinsic models for optical and inertial sensors.
• Develop extrinsic sensor-to-base transformations.
• Implement sub-microsecond timing synchronization with PTP/PPS.
• Build automated calibration pipelines for EOL and in-field use.
• Establish data-tracking to monitor fleet-wide calibration health.

Skills

Perception hardware

Robotics

Computer vision

Sensor calibration

Python

C++

OpenCV

PCL

Ceres Solver

g2o

Education

MS/PhD in Robotics or related

Tools

OpenCV

PCL

Ceres Solver

g2o

Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.

We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.

JOB SUMMARY

As a Senior Perception Hardware Engineer focusing on Sensor Calibration, you will own the critical link between the physical world and our robot's autonomy stack. Apollo relies on a complex, multi-modal perception suite to navigate and manipulate its environment.

Your mission is to ensure these sensors act as a unified, mathematically perfect system. You will design the physical fixtures, write the calibration algorithms, and build the scalable factory processes that define the intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal calibration of our humanoid robots. You will be the resident expert on optical physics, 3D geometry, and sensor precision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Calibration Architecture & Algorithms

• Sensor Modeling: Define and implement robust intrinsic models for various optical sensors (e.g., pinhole, fisheye, Brown-Conrady, Kannala-Brandt) and inertial sensors (bias, scale factors, random walk).
• Extrinsic Calibration: Develop highly accurate sensor-to-sensor and sensor-to-kinematic base spatial transformations.
• Temporal Synchronization: Work with electrical and embedded teams to validate hardware-level timing. Ensure sub-microsecond synchronization across all perception streams using PTP (Precision Time Protocol), PPS, and hardware triggering.

Hardware & Fixture Design

• Precision Fixturing: Design the physical calibration targets (e.g., CharuCo boards, custom 3D geometries) and the lighting environments required for high-repeatability factory calibration.
• Mounting & Stability Validation: Collaborate with mechanical engineers to evaluate and optimize sensor mounting rigidity. Characterize calibration drift caused by thermal gradients, mechanical shock, and joint wear.

Factory & In-Field Scalability

• End-of-Line (EOL) Automation: Build the automated calibration pipeline for our manufacturing line, allowing non-engineers to reliably calibrate a multi-sensor humanoid head in minutes.
• Online/In-Field Calibration: Develop lightweight "auto-calibration" or self-diagnostic routines that allow Apollo to detect sensor drift in the field and dynamically adjust its extrinsic transforms without human intervention.
• Data & Analytics: Establish a data-tracking architecture to monitor fleet-wide calibration health, identifying batch variances or specific hardware degradation over time.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Experience: 5+ years of industry experience in perception hardware, computer vision, or robotics, with a primary focus on sensor calibration and validation.
• Mathematical Foundation: Deep understanding of 3D geometry, linear algebra, coordinate frame transformations (quaternions, rotation matrices, SE(3)), and non-linear optimization (least-squares, bundle adjustment).
• Software Proficiency: Strong programming skills in Python and C++ . Extensive experience with computer vision libraries (OpenCV, PCL) and optimization frameworks (e.g., Ceres Solver, g2o).
• Hardware Intuition: Hands-on experience working directly with optical components, LiDAR mechanisms, and MEMS IMUs. You understand the physical limitations that cause optical distortion, rolling shutter artifacts, and IMU drift.
• System-Level Thinking: Ability to translate abstract autonomy requirements (e.g., "we need 1cm grasping accuracy at 1 meter") into concrete hardware and calibration tolerances.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Education: MS, or PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate.

*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.

Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.