Perception Algorithm Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Job Description

The Software Perception Engineer designs, implements, and tests advanced perception algorithms for mobile off-road machines, with a focus on sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification. The role collaborates closely with engineers and researchers to integrate perception solutions into a broader software stack and hardware platform, ensuring safe, reliable, and high-performing autonomous and operator-assist systems. This position combines hands-on software development, machine learning workflows, and rigorous documentation to deliver high-quality perception capabilities that address real-world customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test perception algorithms for sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification in mobile off-road robotic systems.
• Solve complex perception challenges for autonomy and advanced operator assist systems, with a focus on machine safety and productivity.
• Participate in the design and development of high-quality perception software and algorithms that meet customer requirements and performance targets.
• Collaborate with other engineers and researchers to integrate perception software into the overall software stack and hardware platform.
• Document architecture specifications, software designs, verification plans, test cases, operating procedures, and safety procedures in a clear and structured manner.
• Work with application teams to collect and analyze data from robotic and manned platforms, focusing on customer experience and system performance.
• Analyze and annotate data for machine learning training and participate in iterative ML training cycles to meet perception performance requirements.
• Use appropriate debugging, testing, and maintenance tools to ensure the reliability and robustness of perception software.
• Assist in verification and validation activities for perception and autonomy systems, ensuring they meet prioritized requirements and time frame constraints.
• Design, write, test, and review autonomy and advanced operator assist perception software following established development standards.
• Participate in efforts to develop, integrate, and test complex autonomy systems, coordinating across multiple subsystems.
• Apply strong problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve complex issues that span multiple software and hardware subsystems.
• Collaborate effectively within an Agile development environment, contributing to planning, tracking, and continuous improvement activities.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly to team members and stakeholders and contribute actively to team discussions and design reviews.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in C++ for development of perception and autonomy software.
• Working knowledge of mobile robotics perception for autonomy or advanced operator assist systems.
• Working knowledge of computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning techniques applied to perception.
• Familiarity with lidar, radar, and cameras as perception sensors and their integration into perception pipelines.
• Ability to design, write, test, and review autonomy and advanced operator assist perception software.
• Working knowledge of the Agile software development life cycle.
• Proficiency in Python for supporting tools, machine learning workflows, and perception-related development.
• Experience using ROS or Autonomous Infrastructure Software (AIS) for robotics and perception applications.
• Working knowledge of standard software development tools such as CMake, Git, SonarQube, Docker, GoogleTest, Artifactory, and Clang.
• Strong mathematics skills relevant to perception, computer vision, and machine learning.
• Ability to solve complex issues spanning multiple subsystems in autonomous or operator assist systems.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative engineering team.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to contribute effectively in cross-functional environments.
• A degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with sensor fusion for lidar, radar, and camera-based perception systems.
• Familiarity with Eigen for linear algebra and numerical computations in perception algorithms.
• Experience using Azure DevOps or Jira for project management and work item tracking in an Agile environment.
• Knowledge of cloud compute and storage tools, including AWS EC2, S3, and Batch, for data processing and machine learning workflows.
• Experience with OpenCV for computer vision applications.
• Experience with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch for perception and autonomy.
• Familiarity with robotics and autonomous machine safety considerations and productivity-focused design.
• Experience participating in iterative machine learning training cycles, including data annotation and performance tuning.
• A passion for innovation and problem-solving in robotics and perception.
• Experience working on mobile off-road machines, robotic platforms, or similar autonomous systems is beneficial.

Work Environment

This role is based on site in Pittsburgh, with a hybrid or remote schedule available depending on business needs and team coordination. You work closely with multidisciplinary engineering and research teams in a collaborative environment focused on autonomy, perception, and operator assist systems. The technical environment includes modern software development tools such as CMake, Git, SonarQube, Docker, GoogleTest, Artifactory, and Clang, as well as ROS or Autonomous Infrastructure Software (AIS), OpenCV, TensorFlow or PyTorch, and cloud platforms such as AWS (EC2, S3, Batch). Work typically follows Agile development practices, with regular planning, review, and integration activities. The role involves hands-on interaction with data from robotic and manned platforms and may occasionally require on-site testing or integration activities with mobile off-road machines.

This is a Contract position based out of Pittsburgh, PA.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $62.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Pittsburgh,PA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 13, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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