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Perception Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

PassFort

Machine Learning Engineer

Berlin, MD · On-site

$79.93 - $137.02/hr

The successful candidate will lead the development of real-time perception systems that enable autonomous heavy machinery to understand and operate in harsh, unstructured environments. Key ...

New

Forterra

Path Planning Engineer

Clarksburg, MD · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Integrate planning algorithms with on-vehicle systems, including perception, localization, controls, and platform interfaces * Deploy, test, and debug autonomy software directly on vehicles ...

Worldwide Flight Services

$15.50 - $19/hr

Transport cargo to and from aircraft driving 3,000 lb. vehicle using depth perception to negotiate vehicle with attached carts through congested area. Read "off-load" sheets to determine destination ...

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All JobsPerception JobsPerception Jobs in Maryland

Perception information

See Maryland salary details

$29.9K

$157.7K

$238.2K

How much do perception jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for perception in Maryland is $157,707.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,583.00 and $184,398.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a perception job?

A Perception job typically involves developing and improving a system's ability to interpret and understand sensory data, often in fields like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and computer vision. Professionals in this role work with sensor fusion, machine learning, and computer vision algorithms to detect, track, and classify objects in an environment. Their goal is to enable machines to perceive and react to their surroundings accurately, enhancing safety and efficiency.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in perception roles within autonomous vehicle development teams?

Professionals in perception roles often encounter challenges related to processing large volumes of sensor data, such as lidar, radar, and cameras, in real time to ensure accurate object detection and scene understanding. Balancing the need for high accuracy with the computational limitations of embedded systems can be demanding. Additionally, perception engineers frequently collaborate with teams in sensor fusion, mapping, and planning, requiring strong communication and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills. Adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and continuously improving algorithms to handle edge cases in complex environments are also key aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Perception vs Data Analyst?

AspectPerceptionData Analyst
Required CredentialsVaries; often no formal certification requiredBachelor's degree in statistics, data science, or related field; certifications like CAP or Microsoft Data Analyst
Work EnvironmentResearch, consulting, or strategic planning settingsBusiness, finance, healthcare, and tech industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in marketing, psychology, and strategic rolesCommon in corporate, finance, and tech sectors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding how perceptions influence decisionsAnalyzing data to inform business strategies

Perception focuses on how individuals interpret and understand information, often in psychological or strategic contexts. Data Analysts interpret and analyze data sets to support business decisions. While perception is more subjective and qualitative, Data Analysts rely on quantitative data analysis. Both roles are essential in decision-making processes but serve different functions within organizations.

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

To thrive as a Perception Engineer, you need strong foundations in computer vision, robotics, and sensor fusion, typically supported by a degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like ROS, OpenCV, TensorFlow, and experience working with LiDAR, radar, or camera systems are highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication help you collaborate within multidisciplinary teams and tackle complex technical challenges. These skills are crucial for developing reliable perception systems that enable autonomous machines to interpret and interact safely with real-world environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Perception jobs in Maryland? The most popular types of Perception jobs in Maryland are:
What are popular job titles related to Perception jobs in Maryland? For Perception jobs in Maryland, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Perception jobs in Maryland look for? The top searched job categories for Perception jobs in Maryland are:
Perception jobs near you
Infographic showing various Perception job openings in Maryland as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,707 per year, or $75.8 per hour.

NIST PREP Robotics and Perception Engineer

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$68K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration. A candidate hired for this position will be through the university that is associated with the NIST PREP program and will be an employee of that University.
Research Title: Robotics and Perception Engineer: Perception Performance of Robotic Systems
Position Description: The Intelligent Systems Division at NIST is investigating the performance of 3D machine vision systems for various manufacturing applications. The research will focus on integrating 3D bin-picking vision systems with robotic arms and conducting experiments to evaluate their performance. This work will support the development of new metrics and standards for these systems.
Duties:
  • Integrate robot arms and commercial bin-picking systems into the NIST/ISD bin-picking testbed.
  • Program collaborative robot arms for conducting various tasks and experiments.
  • Research the effects of various factors (part color, part surface properties, bin color, bin depth, ratio of part size to bin size, part distribution in a bin) on bin picking performance (e.g., cycle time, pose uncertainty, etc.).
  • Collect data from various 3D imaging systems.
  • Design and develop 3D printed artifacts and optimize 3D printer parameters for improved quality of the 3D prints.
  • Use metrology systems (e.g., laser trackers, CMMs, etc.) for establishing reference measurements.
  • Use analysis software (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Spatial Analyzer, Polyworks, Excel, etc.) to interpret results and produce visualizations.
  • Assist in the development of demonstrations for trade shows and conferences.
  • Write reports and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
  • Work schedule: On-campus (Gaithersburg, MD), Full-time (40hrs/week)
  • The applicant selected for this position will receive minimal training in the use of certain systems needed for the work.

Qualifications:
  • US Citizen preferred
  • Education: Engineering majors with a master's degree, or in their final year of a master's degree.
  • Programming experience in one or more of the following computer languages: Python, Java, C#
  • Experience with the following:
    • Using the Robot Operating System (ROS2) for visualizing and controlling robots.
    • CAD software: SolidWorks or OnShap
    • Using 3D printers (polymer and resin based) and optimizing 3D printing parameters.
    • Using and programming in the Linux environment.
    • Using MATLAB for data capture and analysis.
  • Basic understanding of
    • Robot control theory (DH parameters, kinematics, etc.)
    • 3D sensors such as LiDAR or RGBD cameras
    • Programming robot forward and inverse kinematics
    • 3D point cloud data processing techniques using Point Cloud
    • Library (PCL - http://pointclouds.org), CloudCompare, or other similar tools
    • Robotic bin picking systems
    • Using metrology tools such as CMM arms and metrology software.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use the information you submit for the purpose stated.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0004211

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