Senior / Staff Machine Learning Engineer - 3D Sensor Simulation

Zoox; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 242,000 - 348,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Stock Appreciation Rights

Amazon RSUs

Paid time off

Job summary

Zoox is seeking a machine learning professional to advance realistic sensor simulation for AVs. You will work on LiDAR, radar, and camera data within a cutting-edge 3D simulation stack, blending ML with NeRF-based reconstruction to close sim-to-real gaps.

Candidates should bring 5+ years of ML model development in Python and experience with sensor data, plus mentoring skills to guide engineers and interns. The role offers strong growth in a fast-paced robotics environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a Technical Lead.
• 5+ years developing ML models in Python with PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Experience applying ML to sensor data (LiDAR, radar, cameras).
• Ability to design, train and validate ML training pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design, train, and validate ML models that improve realism of simulated lidar, radar, and camera data.
• Collaborate with Synthetic Data and HIL Sim teams to integrate 3DGS and NeRF-based reconstruction with sensor simulation.
• Build and curate training datasets from real and simulated sensor data, including GenAI-based augmentation.
• Define sensor realism metrics with Sim V&V and Perception engineers; close sim-to-real gaps.
• Mentor engineers and interns; establish best practices for training and deploying ML on Zoox sensor data.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Sensor ML

Mentoring

3D Simulation

Job description

The Zoox 3D Sensor Simulation team's work is at the core of creating in-the-loop simulation and high fidelity synthetic data for training and testing autonomous vehicle AI. We are looking for a machine learning professional with experience applying ML to sensor data, such as LiDAR, radar, and cameras.

This role lies at the intersection of machine learning and 3D simulation at Zoox, ranging from learned sensor models to neural 3D reconstruction. By improving the realism of simulated sensors (lidar, radar, and cameras), you'll enable the Zoox robotics autonomy stack to learn, improve, and enhance the mobility of humans.

In This Role

• Design, train, and validate ML models that improve the realism of simulated lidar, radar, and camera data in autonomous vehicle (AV) simulation pipelines.
• Collaborate with Synthetic Data and HIL Sim teams to integrate 3DGS and NeRF-based 3D reconstruction with simulation of all sensor modalities.
• Build and curate training datasets from real and simulated sensor data, including GenAI-based data augmentation.
• Partner with Sim V&V and Perception engineers to define sensor realism metrics and close the sim-to-real gaps with the greatest impact on autonomy.
• Mentor engineers and interns, and establish best practices for training and deploying ML on Zoox sensor data.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of prior experience as a Technical Lead
• 5+ years of experience developing ML models in Python with PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Industry experience applying ML to sensor data (lidar, radar, and/or cameras)
• Solid understanding of customizing, tuning, and validating ML training pipelines

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with generative techniques such as diffusion, flow matching, or VAEs
• Experience with 3D reconstruction (3DGS, NeRFs) or differentiable rendering
• Prior experience developing autonomy in AVs or other robotics and computer vision

$242,000 - $348,000 a year

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We're looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

A Final Note

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.