Sr. AI Robotics Engineer

Janicki Industries, Inc.; Bellingham (WA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k with employer matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Janicki Industries, Inc. seeks a Sr. AI Robotics Engineer to join its on-site team in Bellingham, WA. You will develop AI-enhanced robotic systems for aerospace manufacturing, mentoring engineers while delivering real-world, production-ready automation on the shop floor.

The role combines perception, RL, and integration with major robots (Fanuc/ABB/KUKA/UR) in a fast-paced production environment. Applicants must eventually qualify for a U.S. Secret Clearance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience spanning robotics and AI.
• ABET-accredited degree in mechanical/computer engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience with industrial robot programming, integration, and deployment.
• Proven AI/ML solutions shipping in real-world environments.
• Strong background in robot perception (cameras, LiDAR, force sensing).
• Expert Python and AI stack (PyTorch/TensorFlow, OpenCV, ROS/ROS2); dev-ops tooling.
• Ability to mentor engineers and lead technically without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement perception systems (2D/3D vision, point clouds; force/torque).
• Train and deploy AI models for object detection, segmentation, pose estimation, anomaly detection.
• Apply reinforcement learning to improve robot dexterity, path planning, error recovery.
• Integrate industrial robots with vision and AI pipelines.
• Write production-grade Python code; manage Git repositories; containerize with Docker.
• Stand up and maintain Linux/Windows development environments (ROS/ROS2, CUDA).
• Mentor junior engineers; collaborate with ME/EE/manufacturing teams.
• Prototype rapidly, validate on the shop floor, transition to operations.

Skills

Robotics & AI experience

Industrial robotics

Applied AI/ML

Robot perception

Python & AI stack

System administration

Mentoring

Cross-disciplinary

Autonomous work

Self-starter

Security clearance readiness

Citizenship / LPR requirement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

MS/PhD in Robotics, AI, or related field (preferred)

Tools

ROS/ROS2

CUDA

Git

Docker

MoveIt (optional)

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $125,000 USD to $200,000 USDThe estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

Janicki Industries is an innovative, family-owned aerospace company located at the foot of the Cascades. We focus on engineering and manufacturing complex projects for companies in the aerospace, defense, and space industries. We are looking for a Sr. AI Robotics Engineer to join our growing team.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position is located on-site in Bellingham, Washington State.

Join a new, high-impact Robotics & AI team chartered with deploying next-generation intelligent automation. You will design, develop, integrate, and continuously improve AI-enhanced robotic systems (manipulators, mobile platforms, cobots) that perform manufacturing tasks and support with increasing levels of autonomy.

This is a hands-on individual contributor role with immediate leadership/mentoring responsibilities. You’ll work side-by-side with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers in a fast-moving production environment where prototypes go live on the shop floor in days or weeks—not months.

The following essential job functions are performed as an Sr. AI Robotics Engineer:

• Architect and implement perception systems (2D/3D vision, point clouds, force/torque) using modern AI frameworks
• Train, deploy, and iterate on object-detection, segmentation, pose estimation, and anomaly-detection models in real manufacturing settings
• Apply reinforcement learning and other advanced techniques to improve robot dexterity, path planning, and error recovery
• Integrate industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots, etc.) with vision and AI pipelines
• Write robust production‑grade Python code, manage repositories in Git, and containerize solutions with Docker
• Stand up and maintain development/workstation environments (Linux/Windows, ROS/ROS2, CUDA, virtual machines, etc.)
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate cross-functionally with ME, EE, and manufacturing teams
• Rapidly prototype, validate on the floor, and transition solutions to sustained operations
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience spanning robotics and AI required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or closely related field from an ABET-accredited, competitive university
• Deep hands‑on experience with industrial robot programming, integration, and deployment
• Proven track record shipping applied AI/ML solutions (object detection, model training/re‑training loops, reinforcement learning, etc.) in real‑world environments
• Strong background in robot perception (cameras, LiDAR, structured light, force sensing)
• Expert-level Python, common AI ecosystems (PyTorch/TensorFlow, OpenCV, PCL, ROS/ROS2), and modern dev‑ops tooling (Git, Docker, CI/CD)
• Comfortable installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Linux/Windows systems, VMs, and complex development environments
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead technically without formal authority
• Thrives in cross‑disciplinary hardware + software environments
• Bias for action, fast pace, and getting results with minimal oversight
• Self‑starter who can define, prioritize, and execute projects end‑to‑end
• Due to our ITAR and EAR regulations, applicants must be a US Citizen or of Legal Permanent Resident Status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b (a) (3)
• This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). Janicki will assist with gaining this access once employed. Special Access Program or other Government Access Requirements are mandatory for this position and requires candidate agreed to enter a Continuous Evaluation program

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MS or PhD in Robotics, AI, or related field preferred
• Experience in aerospace or similarly regulated manufacturing preferred
• Previous work with Isaac Sim, MoveIt, or other advanced robotics frameworks preferred

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Salary range for this role is between$125,000 - $200,000, plus discretionary bonus, 401(k) matching, vacation, and health benefits. Employees can also receive additional pay for off shifts. The range provided is Janicki’s estimate of the base compensation for this role. Actual amount offered will be based on job‑related and non‑discriminatory factors such as experience, location, education, training, skills, and abilities

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution
• Disability insurance as well as Life/AD&D insurance
• HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer contribution and FSA (Flexible Savings Account)
• 401k with employer matching
• Paid time off and paid holidays (including two floating holidays)
• Several shift options
• Premium pay for off shifts

Janicki Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Janicki Industries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, veteran/military service status, or any other legally protected status. Janicki is proud to be a military friendly employer.

Applicants or employees wishing to view a copy of Janicki Industries’ Aff... or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at [phone].

As a federal government contractor and a recipient of federal funding, Janicki is required to abide by federal drug testing requirements (including preemployment drug testing for cannabis). Additionally, because of Janicki’s work on aerospace products and the high volume of safety sensitive positions, Janicki takes the safety of its employees very seriously and requires that employees pass a preemployment drug test prior to starting employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.