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Perception Algorithm Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Kodiak

Fall 2026 Intern, Perception

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$10K/mo

You are currently pursuing a MS or PhD and have experience designing and implementing perception algorithms; exceptional candidates pursuing a BS considered. * You are a skilled software engineer ...

Kodiak

Fall 2026 Intern, Perception

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$10K/mo

You are currently pursuing a MS or PhD and have experience designing and implementing perception algorithms; exceptional candidates pursuing a BS considered. * You are a skilled software engineer ...

Lyte

Senior PHY-Algo Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

We are seeking a Senior PHY Algorithm Engineer to join our team and contribute to the development ... Lyte builds perception systems for Physical AI operating in complex environments. The company ...

Zoox

Senior Manager, Perception

Foster City, CA

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

$277K - $389K/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 ...

Lyte

Field Applications Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$135K - $220K/yr

Diagnose and resolve issues spanning perception algorithms, data pipelines, sensors, compute, and ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related technical ...

Lyte

Field Applications Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

Diagnose and resolve issues spanning perception algorithms, data pipelines, sensors, compute, and ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related technical ...

Apple

AIML Engineer - Human Perception

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Our team delivers cutting-edge AI, machine learning, computer vision and graphics algorithms that ... perception system.Experience working with LLMs and VLMs.Software engineering skills and proficiency ...

Lyte

Senior Camera & Vision Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Develop and integrate computer vision and ML-based algorithms into the perception stack * Work with ... Strong software engineering skills in C++ and/or Python * Experience integrating perception ...

Aeva

Perception Data Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$136.30K - $163.60K/yr

They are seeking a Perception Data Engineer to manage data collection, scalable data systems, and ... structures, algorithms, system design, and writing code that is readable, testable, and ...

Aeva, Inc.

Perception Data Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$154.90K - $209.60K/yr

Aeva's mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from ... Strong fundamentals in software engineering - data structures, algorithms, system design, and ...

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Perception Algorithm Engineer information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$69.9K

$131.1K

$238.4K

How much do perception algorithm engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for perception algorithm engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $131,104.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,500.00 and $155,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 popular job titles related to Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA? For Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Perception Algorithm Engineer job openings:
Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Perception Algorithm Engineer job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,104 per year, or $63 per hour.
Fall 2026 Intern, Perception

Fall 2026 Intern, Perception

Kodiak

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$10K/mo

Full-time, Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024, Kodiak became the first known company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.
We are looking for a highly skilled Perception Intern to join us and solve real-world robotics problems.
In this role, you will:
  • Be responsible for designing perception algorithms and implementing them in robust, efficient, and well-tested C++ code.
  • Solve real-world perception challenges such as object detection and classification, multi-object tracking, sensor fusion, and scene estimation.
  • Integrate both novel and well-established techniques such as deep neural networks, decision trees, Kalman and particle filters, or point cloud processing on camera, laser, radar, and ultrasound data.
  • Collaborate closely with other experts on the team, including the AI, planning, and systems engineering teams.

What you'll bring:
  • Strong technical background.
  • You are currently pursuing a MS or PhD and have experience designing and implementing perception algorithms; exceptional candidates pursuing a BS considered.
  • You are a skilled software engineer with experience in C++ and strong problem-solving skills.
  • You are passionate about solving real-world robotics problems, and you have ideally worked on autonomous robots before. Prior knowledge of working with deep neural networks is a strong plus.
  • A team player. You take ownership and work with the team to deliver exceptional results. You are interested in the performance of the entire system across engineering disciplines.
  • Ability to build and iterate quickly. You enjoy working fast and smart, and you are comfortable in the earlier stages of developing an algorithm from scratch.
  • Hands on. You dig deep into important details such as the sensor driver if it improves the overall system.
  • You like working with production machine learning pipelines, from dataset collection and labeling to training and validation.
  • Great communicator. You have experience writing clear, concise, and detailed documentation.

Internship Program Details:
  • Start Date: September 2026.
  • Our internship program is 12-16 weeks; the end date is flexible based on individual needs.
  • Location: Mountain View, CA.
  • Housing: interns are responsible for housing.

What we offer:
  • A fast paced environment where we work with talented, committed and supportive teammates.
  • Competitive pay.
  • Excellent medical, dental and vision benefits. A beautiful facility in Mountain View.
  • We love our dogs, so we are a dog friendly office!
  • Free catered lunch.

The pay range listed below reflects the base salary in our SF/Silicon Valley location, across several internal levels. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors including: work location, experience, relevant training, education, skill level and performance during interview. Total compensation at Kodiak includes base pay, equity, bonus and a competitive benefits package
California Pay Range
$10,000-$10,000 USD
At Kodiak, we strive to build a diverse community working towards our common company goals in a safe and collaborative environment where harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited. Kodiak is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
In alignment with its business operations, Kodiak adheres to all relevant statutes, regulations, and administrative prerequisites. Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate's residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. Should the position require, and Kodiak determines that a candidate's residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status necessitate an export license, bar the candidate from the position, or otherwise fall under national security-related restrictions, Kodiak will consider the candidate for alternative positions unaffected by such restrictions, under terms and conditions set forth at Kodiak's sole discretion, or, as an alternative, opt not to proceed with the candidate's application. If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.
We use a third-party AI tool (Endorsed) to assist in the initial screening of applications. As part of the evaluation process, we provide Endorsed with job requirements and candidate-submitted applications. Final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team, and no automated system makes the ultimate decision regarding hiring. Certain features of the platform may qualify it as an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) under applicable regulations. We began using Endorsed on January 1, 2026. You can review the independent bias audit report covering our use of Endorsed [here](https://endorsed.com/local-law-144). By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your application may be processed by AI systems as part of the screening and selection process. If you have any questions or would like to request a separate review of your application, please contact careers@kodiak.ai with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.

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