Principal Software Engineer, Perception
Summary
Principal engineer setting technical direction for the perception stack (sensor fusion, localization, tracking, mapping, uncertainty estimation) at a maritime autonomy company in Alameda. Turns research algorithms into production systems on edge hardware using C++, Python, radar, and cameras, while mentoring engineers.
About the Role
Join the perception team at a maritime autonomy company, where you will set technical direction for systems that help autonomous vehicles operate safely in complex ocean environments. You will shape perception capabilities spanning sensor fusion, localization, tracking, mapping, and uncertainty estimation.
What You'll Do
Define the architecture and technical direction for the perception stack, including fusion, localization, tracking, mapping, and uncertainty estimation.
Integrate heterogeneous sensors, including radar and cameras, into reliable information streams for downstream autonomy.
Partner with autonomy, navigation, and applied machine learning teams to ensure perception outputs support safe vehicle behavior.
Turn research algorithms into robust production systems that meet sensor, latency, edge-compute, and environmental constraints.
Lead architecture decisions, technical reviews, and hands-on problem solving while mentoring and developing engineers.
Guide data labeling, ground-truth dataset development, and evaluation frameworks to improve system performance.
Contribute technical leadership to team growth, hiring, and mentorship.
What We're Looking For
At least 8 years of experience in perception or robotics engineering, operating at Staff level or above.
Demonstrated ownership of production perception systems deployed on autonomous vehicles or robots.
Deep expertise in sensor fusion, localization, state estimation, tracking, mapping, and probabilistic estimation.
Strong mathematical and algorithmic foundations in computer vision, machine learning, and related fields.
Experience with onboard software and real-time inference on constrained edge hardware, ideally including NVIDIA Jetson.
Familiarity with C++, Python, radar, camera systems, SLAM, uncertainty modeling, and simulation.
Experience with maritime autonomy or multiple sensor modalities is beneficial; experience with RTOS or minimal Linux environments is also useful.
US Person status, meaning US citizenship or a Green Card, is required.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary is $300,000 to $380,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Location
Hybrid, Alameda, United States.
Skills
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