Staff - Research Scientist - Robotics Team Leader

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 188,000 - 244,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance-based bonus

Comprehensive benefits program

Generous 401(k) match

Paid time off programs

Job summary

A leading technology research firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts, seeks a Robotics Team Leader/Senior Research Scientist. The position involves driving advanced research in robotics focusing on learning, perception, and manipulation while leading a team. Candidates should have a PhD and a strong background in robotics, management experience, and excellent programming skills in C++ and Python. The role offers a salary between $188,000 and $244,000 annually, alongside a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience post Ph.D. preferred; minimum 3 years required.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and strategic thinking required.
• Strong publication record in leading robotics or AI conferences.

Responsibilities

• Define and guide strategic research directions in robotics.
• Lead and contribute to collaborative research projects.
• Publish research results in top-tier conferences and journals.

Skills

Learning-based approaches for robotic systems

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)

Strong programming skills in C++

Strong programming skills in Python

Leadership capabilities

Education

PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

MuJoCo

Job description

Staff - Research Scientist - Robotics Team Leader

Department: OR - Optimization and Intelligent Robotics

MERL is seeking a Robotics Team Leader / Senior Research Scientist to lead and conduct cutting‑edge research in robotics with a focus on learning, perception, motion planning, manipulation and shared autonomy for robotic systems including quadrupeds, humanoids among other platforms. This position combines technical leadership with active research. The successful candidate will both drive research directions in consideration of business objectives and actively contribute to research projects, including developing algorithms, validating research results and publishing results.

The role involves working closely with researchers across MERL as well as with Mitsubishi Electric’s engineering and product divisions to translate research innovations into technologies relevant to real‑world systems.

The successful candidate will bring an independent research agenda and a track record commensurate with experience and be capable of working within and leading interdisciplinary R&D teams.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Define and guide strategic research directions in robotics manipulation, locomotion, and human‑robot interaction.
• Lead and contribute to collaborative research projects from concept to experimental validation.
• Coordinate robotics research strategy across MERL and with collaborators in Japan and throughout the Americas region.
• Publish research results in top‑tier conferences and journals.
• Partner with business units, corporate R&D, and academic groups in the execution of R&D projects.
• Transfer results and technology to Mitsubishi Electric’s engineering and product divisions for commercialization.

Qualifications for this position are:

• PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years experience post Ph.D. is preferred with a minimum of 3 years experience post Ph.D. being required. Experience with people management is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, alignment of research plans with business objectives.
• Strong research background in robotics with a demonstrated publication record in leading robotics or AI conferences.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Learning‑based approaches for robotic systems, particularly in imitation learning, reinforcement learning
  • Vision‑Language‑Action (VLA) models
  • Human‑Robot Interaction (HRI)
  • Dexterous manipulation
  • Perception using multimodal inputs including vision, tactile feedback.
  • Motion planning and trajectory optimization
  • Multi‑robot systems
• Strong programming skills in C++, Python, or similar languages.
• Familiarity with ROS / ROS2, robotics simulation tools (such as MuJoCo).
• Experience validating research results on robotic hardware would be a plus.
• A strong publication record in leading conferences and journals, consistent with experience.
• A record for independently proposing and executing research programs with research and/or business impact.
• Strong teamwork, communication (oral and written), and listening skills.

The pay range for this position at the commencement of employment is expected to be between $188,000 and $244,000 per year. Actual base pay will depend on a variety of individualized factors, including job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

In addition to base salary, the total compensation package will include an annual performance‑based bonus and a comprehensive benefits program encompassing medical, dental, and vision coverage; a generous 401(k) match; commuting and home office stipends and various paid time off programs (including vacation, sick time, personal and parental leave). Specific details regarding participation in these programs will be provided upon an offer of employment.

Employment is considered “at‑will,” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary or any other compensation program at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, departmental or Company performance, and market conditions.

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs, Inc. “MERL” provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, MERL complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

MERL expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of MERL's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Working at MERL requires full authorization to work in the U.S and access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment is conditioned on continued full authorization to work in the U.S and the availability of government authorization for the release of these items, which might include without limitation, obtaining an export license or other documentation. MERL may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to MERL facilities and information systems, as MERL deems appropriate, to ensure practical compliance with applicable employment law and government access control restrictions.