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Perception Algorithm Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Amazon

Senior Applied Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

You will develop and deploy state-of-the-art perception algorithms that enable robots to truly ... engineers, and product managers to define and deliver perception capabilities Drive end-to-end ...

Amazon

Senior Applied Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

You will develop and deploy state-of-the-art perception algorithms that enable robots to truly ... engineers, and product managers to define and deliver perception capabilities Drive end-to-end ...

Amazon

Senior Applied Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

You will develop and deploy state-of-the-art perception algorithms that enable robots to truly ... BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language - PhD in ...

Matic

Systems Engineer (Rust)

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

... perception algorithms running locally on the robot, with high performance expectations and very ... Familiarity with userspace Linux programming and conventions * Proven track record of building ...

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All JobsPerception Algorithm Engineer JobsPerception Algorithm Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Perception Algorithm Engineer information

See San Francisco, CA salary details

$70.1K

$131.5K

$239.2K

How much do perception algorithm engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 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.

Research Engineer / Research Scientist, Robotics and Physical AI

Clera

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$100K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

About the Role

This is a hands-on research and engineering role at a small, early-stage AI company focused on generating high-quality, verifier-grounded training data for robotics and frontier AI models. You will work across the full stack, from learning algorithms and simulation to real hardware, helping push robot capabilities from synthetic environments into reliable real-world deployment.

What You'll Do

  • Develop learning systems for robots, including policies, world models, and vision-language-action models.

  • Build and maintain simulation environments and evaluation frameworks for robotic tasks.

  • Apply and advance computer vision and perception algorithms for autonomous robots.

  • Build pipelines connecting simulation and real-world robot deployment, covering both real-to-sim and sim-to-real workflows.

  • Work with robot hardware, sensors, actuators, and embedded systems to prototype and test capabilities.

  • Train and evaluate reinforcement-learning and imitation-learning systems for manipulation, locomotion, or mobile platforms.

  • Integrate robot platforms to validate algorithms in the physical world.

  • Create tools and infrastructure that accelerate robotics research and development.

  • Collaborate with external robotics companies and research labs on technical problems.

What We're Looking For

  • Open to all experience levels, including new graduates and seasoned researchers or engineers.

  • Strong software skills in C++ and Python.

  • Practical experience with deep learning, reinforcement learning, and computer vision.

  • Experience developing and maintaining robotics simulation environments and evaluation frameworks (e.g., Isaac Lab, MuJoCo, MJX, Genesis).

  • Experience training and evaluating RL and imitation-learning systems for manipulation, locomotion, or mobile platforms.

  • Hands-on experience with robot hardware, sensors, actuators, CAD or Blender, and embedded systems.

  • Familiarity with modern ML tools such as LLMs, Transformers, multimodal AI, diffusion models, or AI agents is a plus.

  • Comfortable moving fluidly between research, engineering, experimentation, and product development in a small team.

  • US work authorization required; visa sponsorship is not available.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $100,000 to $300,000 USD annually, depending on experience. Equity participation is expected at this stage. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

On-site in San Francisco, California, United States. This role is not eligible for remote work.