Sr. Applied Scientist, Amazon Robotics, Structured Field Coordinated Planning & Control

Amazon; North Reading (MA); On-site; USD 167,100 - 226,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Restricted stock units (RSUs)

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

Job summary

Amazon Robotics is seeking a Senior Applied Scientist to advance AI-driven structured field robotics, including path planning, fleet coordination, and control systems. You will own end-to-end delivery of algorithmic solutions from design through deployment and maintenance.

The role requires PhD or Master’s with significant applied research, strong programming in Java/C++/Python, and 3+ years of research experience. Location-based on-site leadership in MA is expected.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s with substantial applied research experience.
• Proficiency in Java, C++, Python.
• 3+ years of industry or academic research experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI-driven structured field robotics research from design to production deployment.
• Own end-to-end delivery of complex algorithmic solutions.
• Drive decisions for control, coordination, and path planning for performance and scalability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into research problems.
• Present findings at top AI and robotics conferences and mentor junior scientists.
• Operate on ambiguous, multi-quarter problems balancing research with production constraints.

Skills

Java

C++

Python

Research experience

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in engineering/CS/ML/robotics

Master’s with 5+ years of applied research

Job description

Sr. Applied Scientist, Amazon Robotics, Structured Field Coordinated Planning & Control

Amazon Robotics is seeking an experienced Senior Applied Scientist with a passion for robotic research. Our team addresses complex, high-impact projects such as allocating resources to process a million orders per day, coordinating the motion of thousands of robots, and identifying objects and damage.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Lead research initiatives advancing AI‑driven structured field robotics, including path planning, fleet coordination, and control systems, and translate breakthroughs into production solutions at global scale.
• Own end‑to‑end delivery of complex algorithmic solutions from design through production deployment and operational maintenance.
• Drive technical decisions for Control, Coordination, and Path Planning systems to meet performance, scalability, and reliability requirements.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to translate business requirements into research problems and assess technical risks.
• Influence technical direction across the broader robotics organization through design reviews and technical discussions with senior engineers and scientists.
• Demonstrate measurable impact through AI‑driven algorithmic improvements such as fleet efficiency gains, operational cost reduction, system reliability improvements, and enhanced customer experience.
• Publish findings at top‑tier AI and robotics conferences to represent organizational technical leadership.
• Mentor junior Applied Scientists on research methodology and balancing innovation with production constraints.
• Operate independently on ambiguous, multi‑quarter problems requiring novel AI approaches while navigating tradeoffs between research innovation and production constraints.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary range: USD 167,100.00 – 226,100.00 annually (USA, MA, North Reading and Westboro). Compensation includes sign‑on payments, restricted stock units, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage, Maternity and Parental Leave Options, Paid Time Off, 401(k) Plan, and additional benefits such as Basic Life & AD&D insurance, Supplemental life plans, Employee Assistance Program, Mental Health Support, Flexible Spending Accounts, and adoption reimbursement coverage.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, technology, computer science, machine learning, robotics, operations research, statistics, mathematics, or an equivalent quantitative field; or a Master’s degree with 5+ years of applied research experience.
• Experience programming in Java, C++, Python, or a related language.
• Experience conducting research in a corporate setting.
• 3+ years of industry or academic research experience.
• 3+ years of building machine‑learning models or developing algorithms for business application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Publications at top‑tier conferences such as CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, or NeurIPS.
• Strong foundation in motion planning algorithms (A*, RRT, optimization‑based planning) and multi‑agent coordination.
• PhD with 6+ years of applied research experience.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation during the application or hiring process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information.