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Robot Perception Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KBR

Robotics Engineer

Mountain View, CA

Key work areas include autonomy, navigation, perception, and robot user interfaces. This position is for a full-time robotics engineer to develop software systems for future lunar rovers. Applicants ...

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Robot Perception information

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$15

$28

$45

How much do robot perception jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for robot perception in the United States is $28.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.12 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is robot perception?

Robot perception refers to the ability of robots to interpret and understand their environment using sensors and algorithms. This field involves processing data from cameras, lidar, radar, and other sensors to recognize objects, map surroundings, and make decisions. Effective robot perception is essential for tasks like navigation, object manipulation, and autonomous operation in dynamic environments. It combines elements of computer vision, machine learning, and sensor fusion to enable robots to function reliably and safely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Robot Perception role, and why are they important?

To excel in Robot Perception, you need a strong background in computer vision, machine learning, and sensor data processing, typically backed by a degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like ROS (Robot Operating System), OpenCV, PCL, and deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, as well as experience with LiDAR and camera systems, is highly valued. Creative problem-solving, adaptability, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for addressing complex perception challenges in dynamic environments. These competencies enable the development of robust perception systems, which are essential for safe and autonomous robotic operation.

What is the difference between Robot Perception vs Robot Software Engineer?

AspectRobot PerceptionRobot Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related fields; knowledge of perception algorithmsBachelor's or Master's in Software Engineering, Computer Science; programming skills in C++, Python
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, robotics companies, industrial settings focusing on sensor data processingSoftware development teams, robotics companies, embedded systems environments
Industry UsageUsed in autonomous vehicles, service robots, industrial automation for sensor data interpretationDevelops robot control software, integrates perception modules, and ensures system functionality

Robot Perception specialists focus on processing sensor data to enable robots to understand their environment, while Robot Software Engineers develop the software systems that control robot functions, including perception modules. Both roles often collaborate but have distinct focuses within robotics development.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Robot Perception roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Robot Perception roles often encounter challenges such as dealing with noisy sensor data, ensuring real-time processing, and integrating data from multiple sources to create an accurate understanding of the environment. Addressing these requires strong skills in sensor fusion, robust algorithm design, and close collaboration with robotics engineers and software developers. Continuous learning and staying updated with advancements in machine learning and computer vision are also key to overcoming these challenges and contributing effectively to the team's goals.
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Robot Perception jobs near you
Infographic showing various Robot Perception job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,744 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Robotics Software Engineer (Perception & Localization)

Orchard Robotics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Orchard Robotics is a Series A startup backed by top VCs like Quiet Capital, Shine Capital, and General Catalyst. We're securing America’s food supply by building the AI farmer that automates our nation’s farms. We've raised over $25M in pursuit of our mission to help farmers farm more profitably and sustainably than ever before.

What We Do:

We start by building AI-powered camera systems that collect the most valuable data for farmers, telling them everything about what is growing on their millions of trees, vines, and plants, across thousands of acres of farmland.

Our state-of-the-art AI analyzes every one of the billions of fruit across a farm. We provide accurate yield estimates, fruit counts, size projections, disease detection, inventories, bloom maps, and more! All this data lives in our cloud platform, FruitScope OS, that we've developed from the ground up to enable farmers to manage their crop with precision.

Today, our technology is trusted by some of the largest farms in the nation. We are growing fast, and have the industry-leading product. Farmers use our software every day to make critical decisions and run more efficient, profitable operations.

The Role:

In order to analyze billions of fruit on farms all year long, our advanced, tractor-mounted camera systems have to know a.) precisely where they are, and b.) everything about the fruit they are seeing. In addition, all of this happens fast, on compute running on the edge, in complex, real-world environments where our systems are subject to all sorts of conditions.

We are looking for a Robotics Software Engineer to invent creative, practical, and robust solutions to real-world computer vision problems relating to perception and localization.

About the role: 

  • Full-time, in-person role at our San Francisco or Seattle office

  • As an early employee, you'll receive generous equity compensation

  • Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental coverage, and we cover 100% of the premium

  • We move fast, and sometimes this means staying late or working weekends 

  • Our team is close-knit & highly driven, you’ll work directly with our CEO and entire team

  • We’re deeply motivated by the impact we’re making – every line of code written or new system built means less food that goes to waste, and more people who are fed.

What you’ll do:

  • Develop robotics software that runs on our tractor-mounted, AI-powered camera systems, including advanced perception & localization algorithms.

  • Implement intelligent systems and processes to interpret complex, real-world data (each system collects terabytes of raw image data every day).

  • Fuse sensor data (stereo depth, GNSS, etc) to localize our camera system in a farm.

  • Optimize code for fast edge computing performance (Python, C++).

  • Be a generalist, supporting different parts of our software and hardware stack if needed.

What makes you a good fit:

  • Hands-on experience developing robotics software from the ground up.

  • 2+ years of real-world industry experience in robotics, perception, or localization.

  • Expertise in one or more of the following areas: computer vision, stereo depth perception, pose estimation, object detection, multi-object tracking, image processing, robotics software.

  • Enthusiasm for taking on multiple roles and responsibilities as our company grows.

  • You like fast-paced environments where you have high ownership over your work.

Bonus Points:

  • Experience deploying & optimizing robotics algorithms to run fast on embedded compute like NVIDIA Jetson.

  • Familiarity with fusing data from GNSS, IMU, depth, and other sensors.

If you're looking to help make a real, positive impact in the world by building the future of farming, come join us!

Compensation Range: $130K - $190K