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Ai Reinforcement Learning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apptronik

Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics ... JOB SUMMARY The Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer is a key, hands-on role focused on achieving ...

poolside

Member of Engineering (Reinforcement Learning)

$99K - $136K/yr

Poolside exists to be this company : to build a world where AI will be the engine behind ... ABOUT THE ROLE You would be working on our reinforcement learning team focused on improving ...

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How much do ai reinforcement learning jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for ai reinforcement learning in the United States is $40.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.57 and $52.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by AI Reinforcement Learning specialists when deploying models in real-world applications?

AI Reinforcement Learning (RL) specialists often encounter challenges such as ensuring the reliability and safety of RL agents outside of controlled environments. Real-world data can be noisy and unpredictable, making it difficult for models trained in simulations to generalize. Additionally, RL algorithms typically require significant computational resources and time for training, which can be a constraint in fast-paced projects. Collaboration with domain experts and software engineers is essential to adapt algorithms to production systems and continuously monitor performance for unexpected behaviors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an AI Reinforcement Learning Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an AI Reinforcement Learning Specialist, you need strong expertise in machine learning, deep learning, and mathematics, usually backed by a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with programming languages like Python, frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, and experience with RL-specific libraries like OpenAI Gym are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for developing, optimizing, and deploying RL algorithms that solve complex, real-world problems.

What is the difference between Ai Reinforcement Learning vs Data Scientist?

AspectAi Reinforcement LearningData Scientist
Required CredentialsDegree in Computer Science, AI, or related fields; knowledge of algorithmsDegree in Statistics, Data Science, or related fields; programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, AI development teams, tech companiesBusiness analytics, data analysis teams, consulting firms
Industry UsageAI product development, autonomous systems, roboticsBusiness insights, predictive modeling, data analysis
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Ai Reinforcement Learning focuses on developing algorithms that enable machines to learn through trial and error to make decisions. Data Scientists analyze data to extract insights and build predictive models. While both roles require programming skills and a background in data or algorithms, reinforcement learning specialists primarily work on AI systems that learn from interactions, whereas Data Scientists focus on interpreting data to inform business decisions.

What is AI reinforcement learning?

AI reinforcement learning (RL) is a type of machine learning where an agent learns to make decisions by interacting with an environment. The agent receives feedback in the form of rewards or penalties based on its actions, which it uses to improve its future performance. Reinforcement learning is widely used in applications such as robotics, game playing, recommendation systems, and autonomous vehicles. Unlike supervised learning, RL doesn't require labeled input/output pairs and learns through trial and error.
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Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer

Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer

Apptronik

Austin, TX • On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Reinforcement Learning Engineer is a key, hands-on role focused on achieving state-of-the-art performance on our humanoid robots. This engineer will leverage their deep expertise in RL to solve critical locomotion and manipulation challenges and deliver breakthrough results on physical hardware. The primary focus of this role is to rapidly implement, iterate, and deploy advanced learning algorithms to push the boundaries of what our robots can do. As a senior member of the team, this individual will also be responsible for mentoring junior engineers, elevating the team's overall technical capabilities through their guidance and expertise.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
  • Implement and deploy state-of-the-art RL algorithms to achieve ambitious, world-class performance on dynamic locomotion and manipulation tasks with physical hardware.
  • Drive the entire development cycle, from prototyping in simulation to robustly transferring and fine-tuning policies on the robot.
  • Optimize and scale the RL training pipeline for faster iteration, contributing to core infrastructure for high-throughput simulation and distributed training.
  • Mentor junior engineers by providing technical guidance, conducting insightful code reviews, and sharing best practices in reinforcement learning and software development.
  • Collaborate closely with the robotics and hardware teams to diagnose system-level issues and co-develop solutions that enable more complex learned behaviors.
  • Analyze and present hardware results to guide future technical directions and demonstrate progress on key company objectives.
  • Develop and refine motion retargeting pipelines to translate human demonstration data (mocap, teleoperation) into robust reference trajectories for reinforcement learning.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
  • Deep, hands-on expertise (5+ years) with common RL frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX) and high-fidelity physics simulators (e.g., MuJoCo, IsaacGym)
  • Mastery of Python for rapid prototyping and training, alongside strong proficiency in C++ for developing performant, deployable code.
  • Experience building or utilizing large-scale, distributed training pipelines and a strong intuition for their optimization.
  • A strong theoretical understanding of modern reinforcement learning, including deep expertise in areas like imitation learning, model-based RL, and sim-to-real transfer techniques.
  • A strong intuition for robot dynamics and controls theory, with the ability to apply these principles to guide and constrain learning-based approaches.
  • A results-oriented mindset with a passion for seeing complex algorithms work on real-world hardware.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • A PhD or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, with 2+ years industry experience strongly preferred.
  • A proven track record of successfully deploying learning-based policies on physical robotic systems, especially legged robots or manipulators.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to other engineers in a team environment.
  • A strong publication record in relevant conferences or journals (e.g., CoRL, RSS, ICRA) is a significant plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
  • Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
  • Hearing and speech to communicate

*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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