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Perception Engineer 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 ...

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 ...

Mach, Inc.

Perception Engineer

Iowa, LA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

AI Perception Engineer, Off-Road Autonomy Ely , United States About Mach: Mach builds production-ready autonomy for the world's toughest off-road environments. Our technology helps OEMs bring ...

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 ...

Aurelius Systems, Inc

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Actalent

Software Perception Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$114K - $150K/yr

Job Title: Sr. Software Perception Engineer The Sr. Software Perception Engineer designs, implements, and tests advanced perception algorithms for mobile off-road machines, focusing on sensor fusion ...

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 ...

Caterpillar

Senior Perception Engineer

Irving, TX · On-site

$112K - $183K/yr

As the Senior Perception Engineer , you will be responsible for developing cutting-edge autonomous and operator-assisted driving systems. As the Senior Perception Engineer, you will design, implement ...

General Atomics

Perception Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

... fusion + perception infrastructure: * Sensor synchronization, buffering, time alignment, calibration * Real-time data association and multi-sensor integration * Support tracking engineers ...

Motional

Perception Engineer

Boston, MA · Remote

$165K - $197K/yr

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 ...

Teleo

Lead Perception Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

They are seeking a Lead Perception Engineer to build perception algorithms and architecture, ensuring safe operations for heavy machinery on construction and mining sites. Responsibilities : • Re ...

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How much do perception engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for perception engineer in the United States is $55.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.14 and $74.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a perception engineer?

A Perception Engineer develops and optimizes computer vision and sensor-based systems to help machines interpret and understand their surroundings. This role involves working with data from cameras, LiDAR, radar, and other sensors to create models for object detection, tracking, and scene understanding. Perception Engineers commonly work in fields like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and augmented reality, utilizing machine learning and signal processing techniques. Their goal is to enhance a system’s ability to perceive and react to its environment accurately and efficiently.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a perception engineer?

As a Perception Engineer, your typical day involves designing, developing, and testing algorithms that help automated systems interpret sensor data from sources such as cameras, lidar, and radar. You’ll spend time collaborating with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers and software developers, to integrate perception solutions into larger systems like autonomous vehicles or robotics platforms. Regular tasks include data collection and annotation, debugging, performance optimization, and participating in code reviews. This role often requires a balance of independent problem-solving and teamwork to ensure reliable and accurate perception capabilities in ever-changing environments.

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

To thrive as a Perception Engineer, you need a strong background in computer vision, sensor fusion, machine learning, and robotics, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field. Experience with programming languages like Python or C++, deep learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), and familiarity with tools like ROS and OpenCV are commonly required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are valuable soft skills that set top candidates apart. These skills are crucial for developing and optimizing perception systems that enable machines to understand and interact with complex real-world environments.

How do you become a perception engineer?

To become a perception engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field is required. Relevant skills include experience with computer vision, machine learning, and programming languages like Python or C++, along with knowledge of sensor data processing and AI frameworks. Gaining hands-on experience through internships or projects is also beneficial.

What does a perception engineer do?

A perception engineer develops algorithms and systems that enable machines to interpret sensory data such as images, audio, and lidar. They work on tasks like object detection, scene understanding, and sensor fusion, often using machine learning and computer vision tools. Their work is essential in fields like autonomous vehicles, robotics, and advanced driver-assistance systems.
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Perception Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Perception Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,463 per year, or $56 per hour.

Perception Engineer

Bristol, RI • On-site

Vatn Systems
Internet and IT • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Vatn Systemsexternal

Full-time

Posted 29 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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