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Senior Perception Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FieldAI

Senior Robot Perception Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$70K - $300K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack ...

FieldAI

Senior Robot Perception Engineer

Irvine, CA · Remote

$70K - $300K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack ...

FieldAI

Senior Robot Perception Engineer

Irvine, CA

$70K - $300K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack ...

Kodiak

Senior Autonomy Engineer, Perception

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$65 - $84/hr

We are seeking a highly skilled Autonomy Perception Engineer to join our Perception Engineering team. In this role, you will use your expertise in state estimation & multi object tracking to shape ...

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Senior Perception Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior perception engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior perception engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Perception Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Perception Engineer, you need a strong background in computer vision, machine learning, and sensor data processing, typically supported by a degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field. Proficiency with tools such as Python, C++, ROS, and deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow or PyTorch) is essential, along with experience working with LiDAR, radar, and camera systems. Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and strong communication skills help you tackle complex challenges and integrate seamlessly with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the development of robust perception systems critical for the safety and performance of autonomous vehicles or robotic platforms.

What is the difference between Senior Perception Engineer vs Computer Vision Engineer?

AspectSenior Perception EngineerComputer Vision Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, EE, or related; experience in perception algorithmsBachelor's/Master's in CS, EE, or related; strong background in image processing and algorithms
Work EnvironmentAutonomous vehicles, robotics, AI systemsImage analysis, machine learning, AI applications
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, automotive, roboticsTech firms, research labs, automotive
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to overlapping skills in perception and visionRelated but more focused on visual data processing

While both roles involve working with perception and visual data, a Senior Perception Engineer typically focuses on integrating perception systems into autonomous platforms, whereas a Computer Vision Engineer specializes in developing algorithms for image and video analysis. The roles often overlap but differ in application focus and industry usage.

How does a Senior Perception Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in autonomous systems development?

As a Senior Perception Engineer, you will work closely with experts in robotics, software engineering, and hardware integration to develop and refine perception algorithms for autonomous systems. Collaboration often involves frequent meetings with sensor teams to ensure data quality, as well as alignment with planning and controls engineers to guarantee that perception outputs meet system requirements. You may also participate in code reviews, joint debugging sessions, and design discussions to ensure seamless integration of perception modules. This cross-disciplinary teamwork is essential for building reliable and robust autonomous solutions.

What are Senior Perception Engineers?

Senior Perception Engineers are specialized professionals who design and develop advanced perception systems for machines, such as autonomous vehicles or robots. They work on algorithms and sensor fusion techniques to help machines interpret and understand their environment, enabling safe navigation and decision-making. Their role often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, optimizing software for real-time performance, and integrating sensor data from cameras, LiDAR, radar, and other sources. Senior-level engineers typically have several years of experience and take on leadership responsibilities within perception teams.
What cities are hiring for Senior Perception Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Perception Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Perception Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Perception Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Perception Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Perception Engineer jobs include:
Senior Perception Engineer jobs near you

Senior Robot Perception Engineer

FieldAI

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

$70K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Who are We?
Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications.
Learn more at https://fieldai.com.
About the Job
At FieldAI, we're building autonomy for robots that operate in the real world, in harsh environments, and under challenging conditions where traditional sensing breaks down. We're looking for a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack for robots operating in unstructured terrains, taking responsibility for performance, robustness, and deployment on new platforms and sensor configurations. You'll work hands-on across software and hardware for integrating LiDAR, RADAR and multispectral, and sensing into production autonomy systems and delivering capabilities that directly support customers.
What You Will Do
1. Build and Maintain Perception Systems
  • Design, implement, and maintain perception systems for autonomous robots operating in real-world environments.
  • Develop robust localization and mapping capabilities that perform reliably in unstructured, off-road, and field conditions.
  • Continuously evaluate and improve perception performance through testing, iteration, and field validation.
2. Develop and Integrate Sensor-Based Perception
  • Implement perception algorithms that fuse data from multiple sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, RADAR and inertial sensors.
  • Support the integration of new sensing modalities and sensor configurations as robotic platforms evolve.
  • Ensure perception software operates reliably across simulation and real-world deployments.
3. Deploy Perception Software on Real Robots
  • Bring perception algorithms from development to deployment on physical robotic systems.
  • Debug and resolve issues discovered during on-robot testing and field operations.
  • Collaborate with autonomy, controls, and platform teams to ensure perception systems integrate cleanly into the full autonomy stack.
4. Improve System Robustness and Scalability
  • Contribute to code quality, testing, and long-term maintainability of perception systems.
  • Develop tools, metrics, and tests to monitor performance and catch regressions over time.
  • Help scale perception solutions across multiple robots, environments, and missions.
5. Collaborate Across Teams
  • Work closely with engineers, researchers, and operators to define perception requirements and deliver reliable solutions.
  • Communicate technical designs, tradeoffs, and results clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Support field operations and customer demonstrations by ensuring perception systems are production-ready.

What You Have
  • PhD degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field or MS degree in a related field with 2+ years of industry or applied research experience, or BS degree in a related field with 4+ years of relevant experience.
  • Strong background in robot perception, localization, and mapping (SLAM) for real-world robotic systems.
  • Hands-on experience developing and deploying perception software in field robotics environments (not just simulation).
  • Proficiency in modern robotics software development (C++, Python) and ROS/ROS2 based systems.
  • Experience working with robot perception and state estimation (VIO, LIO, mapping, sensor fusion etc).
  • Ability to take ownership of complex subsystems, from design through field deployment and long-term maintenance.
  • Comfort working close to hardware, including debugging sensor data, calibration, and real-world failures.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to operate independently in fast-moving, small teams.

The Extras That Set You Apart
  • Experience with thermal, LWIR, or multispectral passive sensing for robotic perception.
  • Experience integrating and calibrating custom sensor rigs (e.g., stereo, thermal, or multi-LiDAR setups).
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, performance regression testing, and benchmarking for perception systems.
  • Experience aligning or unifying perception stacks across multiple platforms or product lines.
  • Demonstrated leadership in research, field operations, or mentoring junior engineers and researchers.
  • Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and modern DevOps practices.

$70,000 - $300,000 a year
Compensation
The salary range for this role is $70,000-$300,000. The actual offer for this position will be based on factors such as relevant experience, competencies, certifications, and how well the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above. Part of our compensation package also includes full benefits, equity, and generous time.
Why Join Field AI?
We are solving one of the world's most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models™ set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.
You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.
Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution
To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision - innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We're seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.
We are headquartered in always-sunny Irvine, Southern California and have US based and global teammates.
Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close-knit team on an exciting journey!
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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