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Perception Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vatn Systems

Perception Engineer

Bristol, RI · On-site

Perception Engineer About Vatn Systems: Vatn Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of designing and manufacturing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our mission is to revolutionize ...

Zoox

Director, Perception

Foster City, CA

$391K - $470K/yr

Our perception stack is responsible for building Zoox's world-class 3D environment model from multi-modal sensor data. We create novel AI architectures that combine the latest academic results with ...

True Anomaly

Perception Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

They are seeking a Perception Engineer to drive the architecture for image processing and object tracking for their spacecraft, and to design and implement perception algorithms. Responsibilities ...

Vatn Systems

Perception Engineer

Bristol, RI · On-site

Perception Engineer About Vatn Systems: Vatn Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of designing and manufacturing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our mission is to revolutionize ...

Zoox

Director, Perception

Foster City, CA · On-site

$391K - $470K/yr

Our perception stack is responsible for building Zoox's world-class 3D environment model from multi-modal sensor data. We create novel AI architectures that combine the latest academic results with ...

True Anomaly

Perception Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

They are seeking a Perception Engineer to drive the architecture for image processing and object tracking for their spacecraft, while designing and implementing robust algorithms. Responsibilities ...

Zoox

Director, Perception

Foster City, CA · On-site

$391K - $470K/yr

Our perception stack is responsible for building Zoox's world-class 3D environment model from multi-modal sensor data. We create novel AI architectures that combine the latest academic results with ...

Aurelius Systems

Perception Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

We are seeking a skilled Perception Engineer to join our software team and work on end‑to‑end perception and sensor‑fusion stack. You will develop, train, and deploy vision and sensor based ...

9 Mothers Corporation

Perception Engineer

Manor, TX · On-site

Perception Engineer About 9 Mothers The modern battlefield has changed. Cheap, autonomous suicide drones have turned the tactical advantage upside down, and the world is looking for a solution. At 9 ...

Autonomous Solutions

Perception Engineer IV

Mendon, UT · On-site

$128K - $169K/yr

JOB SUMMARYThe Perception Engineer IV develops and advances perception systems that enable ASI's autonomous logistics vehicles to understand their surroundings, detect and track objects, identify ...

Motional

Perception Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

Perception Engineer. Ref. No. N322 BOSTON - REMOTE U.S. ONLY FULL-TIME What You'll Do: * Connect/drive project-level impact through technology solutions.. * Design, develop, implement, and fix ...

Mach Industries

Perception Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$125K - $220K/yr

As a Perception Engineer, you will design, train, and deploy state-of-the-art vision and multi-sensor perception systems that enable navigation, targeting, and automatic target recognition on our ...

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Perception information

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$30K

$158.2K

$239K

How much do perception jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for perception in the United States is $158,221.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,000.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a perception job?

A Perception job typically involves developing and improving a system's ability to interpret and understand sensory data, often in fields like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and computer vision. Professionals in this role work with sensor fusion, machine learning, and computer vision algorithms to detect, track, and classify objects in an environment. Their goal is to enable machines to perceive and react to their surroundings accurately, enhancing safety and efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a perception engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Perception Engineer, you need strong foundations in computer vision, robotics, and sensor fusion, typically supported by a degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like ROS, OpenCV, TensorFlow, and experience working with LiDAR, radar, or camera systems are highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication help you collaborate within multidisciplinary teams and tackle complex technical challenges. These skills are crucial for developing reliable perception systems that enable autonomous machines to interpret and interact safely with real-world environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in perception roles within autonomous vehicle development teams?

Professionals in perception roles often encounter challenges related to processing large volumes of sensor data, such as lidar, radar, and cameras, in real time to ensure accurate object detection and scene understanding. Balancing the need for high accuracy with the computational limitations of embedded systems can be demanding. Additionally, perception engineers frequently collaborate with teams in sensor fusion, mapping, and planning, requiring strong communication and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills. Adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and continuously improving algorithms to handle edge cases in complex environments are also key aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Perception vs Data Analyst?

AspectPerceptionData Analyst
Required CredentialsVaries; often no formal certification requiredBachelor's degree in statistics, data science, or related field; certifications like CAP or Microsoft Data Analyst
Work EnvironmentResearch, consulting, or strategic planning settingsBusiness, finance, healthcare, and tech industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in marketing, psychology, and strategic rolesCommon in corporate, finance, and tech sectors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding how perceptions influence decisionsAnalyzing data to inform business strategies

Perception focuses on how individuals interpret and understand information, often in psychological or strategic contexts. Data Analysts interpret and analyze data sets to support business decisions. While perception is more subjective and qualitative, Data Analysts rely on quantitative data analysis. Both roles are essential in decision-making processes but serve different functions within organizations.

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Cities with the most Perception job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Perception jobs?

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The top searched job categories for Perception jobs are:

Perception jobs near you
Infographic showing various Perception job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $158,221 per year, or $76.1 per hour.

Perception Engineer

Vatn Systems

Bristol, RI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Perception Engineer
About Vatn Systems:
Vatn Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of designing and manufacturing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our mission is to revolutionize underwater security, exploration, research, and operations through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled engineering. Our AUVs are defining the next generation of underwater autonomy.
The Role
As a Perception Engineer, you'll develop and improve the perception stack that powers our self-driving vehicles. Working hands-on with sonar and image data, you'll help build robust pipelines for detecting and tracking. You'll work closely with the autonomy team to integrate perception capabilities into bespoke behaviors, unlocking novel capabilities.
What You'll Do
  • Implement and maintain real-time perception pipelines on autonomous vehicle platforms.
  • Develop algorithms for obstacle detection, classification, and multi-object tracking.
  • Write and maintain ROS 2 nodes and packages for on-vehicle perception software.
  • Utilize Python and C++ to develop and implement algorithms for obstacle detection, classification, and multi-object tracking.
  • Participate in on-site vehicle testing and debugging of real-world perception failures.
  • Collaborate with localization, prediction, and planning teams to ensure clean perception interfaces.
What We're Looking For
Required
  • 3-5 years of experience in robotics perception, computer vision, or autonomous systems.
  • Strong Python skills for prototyping, scripting, and ML workflows.
  • Solid ROS / ROS 2 experience, experience with commercial grade robotic systems.
  • Proficient in C++ for real-time, production-grade robotics software.
  • Experience with 3D sensor data - LiDAR point clouds, depth estimation, or multi-sensor fusion. Marine sensor experience is a big plus!
  • Working knowledge of deep learning frameworks (PyTorch preferred) for detection or segmentation tasks.
  • Working knowledge of classical data-driven perception techniques.
  • Understanding of 3D geometry, sensor calibration, and coordinate frame transformations.
  • Willingness to work on-site and participate in physical vehicle test sessions.
  • US Citizen and ability to gain a security clearance.

Preferred
  • Exposure to Rust for systems programming or robotics tooling.
  • Familiarity with AV-specific perception challenges: moving object tracking, occlusion handling, sensor degradation in adverse weather, GPS-denied localization.
  • Knowledge of TensorRT or other inference optimization tools for real-time deployment.
  • Understanding of AV safety standards or safety-critical software development practices.
Nice to Have
  • Prior experience at a startup and/or defense company.
  • Experience deploying perception models on embedded automotive hardware (Drive AGX, Jetson, etc.)

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially having you join our team in shaping the future of autonomous underwater vehicles.

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