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Perception Algorithm Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Zoox

Senior Manager, Perception

Foster City, CA · On-site

$340K - $408K/yr

Our growing software engineering leadership team is searching for a Senior Manager of Perception ... Our algorithms are relentlessly optimized and tuned to run efficiently and effectively on a wide ...

Zoox

Senior Manager, Perception

Foster City, CA · On-site

$340K - $408K/yr

Our growing software engineering leadership team is searching for a Senior Manager of Perception ... Our algorithms are relentlessly optimized and tuned to run efficiently and effectively on a wide ...

Saildrone

Staff Software Engineer, Perception

Alameda, CA · On-site

$215K - $270K/yr

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Perception, you will play a critical role in enabling real ... Monitor for system inefficiencies, sensor degradation, or algorithmic bottlenecks, take action to ...

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Perception Algorithm Engineer information

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$70.1K

$131.5K

$239.2K

How much do perception algorithm engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for perception algorithm engineer in San Francisco, CA is $131,521.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,800.00 and $156,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a perception algorithm engineer?

A Perception Algorithm Engineer is a professional who develops algorithms that enable machines—such as autonomous vehicles or robots—to interpret and understand sensory data from their environment. This typically involves processing data from cameras, lidar, radar, and other sensors to identify objects, track movement, and understand surroundings. Perception Algorithm Engineers work with computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning techniques to create reliable and efficient perception systems. Their work is crucial in making machines aware of their surroundings and enabling them to respond appropriately. They often collaborate with hardware, software, and robotics teams to integrate their algorithms into real-world applications.

What are some common challenges faced by perception algorithm engineers when integrating their solutions into autonomous systems?

Perception Algorithm Engineers often encounter challenges when ensuring their algorithms perform reliably in diverse real-world environments, such as varying lighting, weather conditions, and sensor noise. Integrating algorithms with hardware requires close collaboration with robotics and systems engineering teams to optimize performance and latency. Additionally, balancing accuracy with computational efficiency is crucial, as perception modules must run in real time on embedded systems. Addressing these challenges involves rigorous testing, continuous model improvement, and effective cross-functional communication.

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

To thrive as a Perception Algorithm Engineer, you need a strong background in computer vision, machine learning, and programming (typically C++ or Python), often supported by a degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenCV, and ROS, as well as experience with sensor data (e.g., LiDAR, cameras), is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this role. These skills are vital to develop robust perception systems that enable autonomous vehicles and robots to interpret and interact safely with complex real-world environments.

What are popular job titles related to Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA?

For Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA are:

What cities near San Francisco, CA are hiring for Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs?

Cities near San Francisco, CA with the most Perception Algorithm Engineer job openings:

Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Perception Algorithm Engineer job openings in San Francisco, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,521 per year, or $63.2 per hour.

Senior Manager, Perception

Zoox

Foster City, CA • On-site

$340K - $408K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Zoox rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

213th of 499 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

We're reinventing personal transportation-making the future safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable. We've created our vehicle specifically for dense, complicated urban environments. Zoox is the only driving vehicle on the market with bidirectional driving capabilities and four-wheel steering, allowing us to maneuver through compact spaces and change directions without the need to reverse. The future is for riders!
Our growing software engineering leadership team is searching for a Senior Manager of Perception. 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 many in-house innovations in creative ways. Our algorithms are relentlessly optimized and tuned to run efficiently and effectively on a wide variety of real-life data as well as in simulation.
You will be responsible for leading high-impact Perception teams with their technical roadmap and milestone goals. You will be closely collaborating with other AI and SW leaders, simulation, and our systems design and mission assurance teams to deliver an exceptional dynamic objects perception system encompassing modalities such as vision, lidar, radar and long-wave IR across pipelines such as segmentation, detection, classification, fusion and tracking. You will lead a diverse, experienced team with a rapidly growing scope and responsibility while also working on some of the most complex problems in artificial intelligence, perception, and sensor fusion.
In this role, you will:
  • Build and lead a group of managers and engineers, and be responsible for the team's roadmap, productivity, execution and impact within the company.
  • Set the vision for, grow, and lead a team of talented software engineers in the overall planning, execution, and success of complex technical projects, while providing the team with technical leadership.
  • Collaborate with engineers and leaders across a variety of teams to brainstorm and accelerate the development of perception capabilities.
  • Provide clear summaries, progress, and recommendations to our executive leadership team.
  • Establishing best practices and statistical rigor around data-driven decision-making.
  • Stay on top of industry and academic trends in AI and perception, making sure Zoox remains at the cutting edge of both algorithms and their implementation at scale.

Qualifications
  • Strong understanding of computer vision systems and AI software stacks.
  • 5+ years of extensive leadership experience, leading teams of 20+
  • 10+ years of experience in computer vision, machine learning and related technologies.
  • Strong leadership skills suitable for recruiting, leading, growing, and managing technical team members in solving a challenging problem, and building a critical component of a real-time system.
  • Recent experience in implementing vision & perception algorithms.
  • Expertise in implementing autonomy solutions and deploying real-world systems.
  • Experience with recent AI approaches including E2E models for perception, transformers and sparse networks.
  • Experience with sensor fusion and uncertainty modeling across multiple modalities.
  • Strong presentation and communication skills.
  • MSc or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science or related fields.

Bonus Qualifications
  • Familiarity with perception of autonomous vehicles or similar robots
  • Hands-on experience having deployed real products or platforms into the real world, and intimately understanding the challenges of working with complex systems
  • Involvement in validation or evaluation of risk and/or safety-critical systems
  • Knowledge of GPU and/or TPU programming (CUDA, TensorRT, etc.)

$340,000 - $408,000 a year
Base Salary Range
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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About Zoox

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Zoox is dedicated to creating the world's first fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the necessary ecosystem to make this technology accessible. Positioned at the crossroads of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox strives to deliver the future of mobility-as-a-service in urban settings. We seek exceptional individuals who share our enthusiasm and are eager to join a dynamic and results-driven team.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Foster City, CA, US

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