Staff AI Engineer, Perception

Agility Robotics; Iowa (LA); Hybrid; USD 207,000 - 323,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Stock options

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

Unlimited PTO

Hybrid work

Job summary

Agility Robotics is seeking a staff machine learning engineer to own the design and development of object perception algorithms for Digit. You will lead architecture for perception systems deployed on mobile robots, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to align with product requirements.

The role demands 5+ years in ML deployment, leadership experience, and strong knowledge of CNNs, tracking, pose estimation; proficiency with PyTorch, OpenCV, NumPy; CPU/GPU optimization and MLOps.

Qualifications

• 5+ years deploying ML-based object detection on mobile robots; leadership experience (>=2 years).
• Strong knowledge of CNNs, multi-object tracking, data association, supervised learning, and pose estimation.
• Familiar with PyTorch, OpenCV, NumPy and related libraries.
• Experience designing algorithms for CPU/GPU execution and optimizing performance.
• Experience with MLOps: data annotation, storage, evaluation, deployment.
• Publications in CVPR, ICCV, RSS, or ICRA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and roadmap for object perception systems used by the robot in production.
• Design, develop, and deploy ML algorithms for multi-object detection, scene understanding, and 6-DoF pose estimation.
• Evaluate and drive adoption of state-of-the-art perception models.
• Promote best practices in architecture, design, and testing for scalable software.
• Optimize deep neural networks and data processing for embedded systems.
• Collaborate with navigation, manipulation and hardware teams to align perception with product requirements.

Skills

Machine learning deployment

Deep learning

Multi-object tracking

Pose estimation

PyTorch

OpenCV

NumPy

MLOps

Academic publications

CPU/GPU optimization

Tools

YOLO

Faster R-CNN

Mask R-CNN

Job description

Agility’s commercially deployed humanoids operate alongside teams in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers—tackling physically demanding and repetitive tasks while enabling workers to focus on higher-value work. With industry-leading safety standards and years of proven deployment data, we’re pioneering a new era of automation that enhances human potential.

Agility Robotics is deploying humanoid robots that are solving real-world challenges in logistics and manufacturing. Perceiving and understanding the world is critical to Digit’s success in these applications. The Perception team is looking for a staff machine learning engineer to own the design and development of object detection and tracking algorithms.

Responsibilities:

• As a technical lead, you will own the architecture and technical roadmap for object perception systems used by the robot in production
• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning algorithms for multi-object detection, scene understanding, and 6-DoF object pose estimation
• Evaluate and drive adoption of state-of-the‑art perception models
• Promote best practices in architecture, design, and testing to deliver high‑quality, scalable software
• Optimize deep neural networks and associated data processing to run efficiently on embedded systems
• Collaborate with navigation, manipulation and hardware teams to align perception capabilities with product requirements

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience deploying machine learning‑based object detection algorithms on mobile robots with at least 2 years of experience in a technical leadership role
• Proficiency in related technical areas such as (but not limited to) deep convolutional neural networks, multi‑object tracking, data association, supervised learning and pose estimation
• Strong mathematical fundamentals in linear algebra and numerical optimization and familiarity with core geometric concepts in computer vision
• Familiarity with common computer vision and machine learning libraries such as (but not limited to) PyTorch, OpenCV, NumPy, etc.
• Experience designing and optimizing algorithms for efficient execution across CPU and GPU architectures
• Experience with MLOps such as (but not limited to) data annotation services, data storage, model evaluation tools, and model deployment
• Publications in your field (CVPR, ICCV, RSS, ICRA preferred)

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience using YOLO, Faster/Mask R-CNN
• Experience developing ML models for 3 or 6 dof pose estimation

This a hybrid position based out of one of our Salem, Pittsburgh, or Fremont offices.

The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to: market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This range may change based on geographical location and may be modified in the future.

Anticipated Salary Range

$207,000—$323,000 USD

In addition to base pay, our competitive total rewards package consists of the following for full-time employees:

• 401(k) Plan:Includes a 6% company match.
• Equity: Company stock options.
• Insurance Coverage: 100% company‑paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long‑term disability insurance for employees.
• Benefit Start Date: Eligible for benefits on your first day of employment.
• Well‑Being Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Time Off:
  • Exempt Employees: Flexible, unlimited PTO and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown.
  • Non‑Exempt Employees: 10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually.
• On‑Site Perks: Catered lunches four times a week and a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations.
• Parental Leave: Generous paid parental leave programs.
• Work Environment: A culture that supports flexible work arrangements.
• Growth Opportunities: Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.
• Relocation Assistance: Provided for eligible roles.
• Annual Discretionary Bonus: Provided for eligible roles.

All of our roles are U.S.-based. Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States.

Agility Robotics is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits unlawful discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, it is the policy of Agility Robotics to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Agility Robotics prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.

Agility Robotics does not accept unsolicited referrals from third‑party recruiting agencies. We prioritize direct applicants and encourage all qualified candidates to apply directly through our careers page. If you are represented by a third party, your application may not be considered. To ensure full consideration, please apply directly.