Tactile Sensing Research Engineer: Hardware Innovation

Google Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 212,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Google DeepMind in Cambridge, MA seeks a Hardware Engineer, Tactile Sensing Research, to invent and validate novel sensing modalities for dexterous manipulation across robot platforms.

You will bridge materials science and sensing, design thin conformal sensor arrays, and collaborate with AI researchers to validate sensors in simulation-to-reality environments. This role emphasizes foundational research and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience working on tactile sensing or flexible electronics.

Responsibilities

• Own the exploration and design of novel tactile sensing modalities tailored for a versatile suite of custom robotic manipulators.
• Utilize expert simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL, Ansys) to model the complex interactions between materials and sensing elements.
• Define technical fabrics and elastomeric substrates with specific mechanical properties and implement manufacturing techniques to prototype novel sensor arrays.
• Partner with AI researchers to align sensor hardware with manipulation algorithms, ensuring tactile data is effectively utilized for closed-loop control across various form factors.
• Establish testing protocols to evaluate sensor performance in simulation-to-reality environments across multiple manipulation platforms.

Skills

Tactile sensing

Flexible electronics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering

PhD in Materials Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering

Tools

COMSOL

Ansys

Job description

Google DeepMind in Cambridge, MA seeks a Hardware Engineer, Tactile Sensing Research, to invent and validate novel sensing modalities for dexterous manipulation across robot platforms.

You will bridge materials science and sensing, design thin conformal sensor arrays, and collaborate with AI researchers to validate sensors in simulation-to-reality environments. This role emphasizes foundational research and collaboration.