Senior Research Engineer
At a glance
Senior AI Research role at Matic. Menlo Park · full-time · $160,000–$240,000 base.
aimlroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Lead research on perception challenges in homes, then build computer vision algorithms and neural networks for them
- Develop 3D vision systems that give robots precise spatial understanding
- Improve training infrastructure and tune algorithms for accuracy, speed and reliability
- Deploy machine-learning pipelines to resource-limited devices while preserving performance
- Guide perception plans, mentor engineers and work with hardware, electrical and systems teams
What you bring
- At least four years applying computer vision, machine learning or robotics to practical problems
- A master's degree in computer science, engineering, electrical engineering, physics or a related field
- Deep computer vision and machine-learning knowledge, especially in 3D perception, object detection, SLAM and robotics controls
- Strong Rust or C++ and Python skills, plus extensive work with PyTorch and modern ML frameworks
- A record of shipping real-world research and leading technical projects or mentoring engineers
Who this fits
This senior role suits someone who can turn perception research into working robotics products and guide other engineers. The position is onsite in Menlo Park.
From the employer
Company Overview
Each year, 2.5 trillion hours are spent on household chores. At Matic, we’re on a mission to recapture that lost time, and we’re doing it by revolutionizing home robotics.
Our first product, also called Matic, is a Wall-E-esque floor cleaning robot. We've built what amounts to "full self-driving in the home” with real-time 3D mapping, adaptive path-tracking, and a precise semantic understanding of the home. Our breakthroughs in spatial AI allow Matic to work reliably in real homes, using only RGB cameras and neural networks running on-device.
Privacy First
What happens in the home, stays in the home. Our robots are private by design, with all data processing performed by the robot itself, not in the cloud.
Our Approach
Before the iPhone, consumers adopted several distinct devices; cell phones, PDAs, and portable music players each served a particular need. We believe in a similar progression for home robotics, starting with single-purpose robots and building iteratively toward more complex capabilities over time.
Our Culture
Matic is a tight-knit and collaborative team, singularly focused on building products our customers will cherish. We're ultra-hardworking people committed to solving tough problems that save precious time and energy.
About the role
We're seeking a Senior Research Engineer to lead cutting-edge perception research and drive our autonomous robotics platform forward. This is an opportunity to shape the technical direction of our perception stack while mentoring a growing team of engineers.
The ideal candidate has a passion for solving problems and deploying those solutions to real, working products. We’re looking for detail-obsessed “idea machines”, able to push beyond the current state of the art to break new ground in robotic perception.
What you'll do
Lead research initiatives to solve complex, open-ended perception problems for unstructured home environments
Architect and develop state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms that push beyond current industry capabilities
Design novel neural network architectures optimized for edge deployment and real-time performance
Pioneer advanced 3D geometry-based vision systems that enable precise spatial understanding
Build and scale robust machine learning infrastructure supporting large-scale training while ensuring reproducibility
Drive continuous improvement of algorithm accuracy, speed, and robustness through rigorous analysis and iteration
Lead the deployment of sophisticated ML pipelines on resource-constrained edge devices without performance degradation
Spearhead technical efforts toward achieving Level 5 autonomy in consumer robotics
Mentor junior engineers and collaborate cross-functionally with Hardware, Electrical, and Systems teams to realize ambitious product visions
Contribute to technical strategy and roadmap planning for perception capabilities
What we look for
Advanced expertise in computer vision and machine learning with deep specialization in 3D perception, multi-class object detection, SLAM, and robotics controls
Proven track record of shipping production-grade research in real-world applications with measurable impact
Expert-level proficiency in Rust (or C++) and Python, with extensive experience in PyTorch and modern ML frameworks
Demonstrated ability to architect scalable, maintainable codebases and establish engineering best practices
Experience leading technical projects and mentoring engineering teams
Strong publication record or equivalent demonstration of technical leadership in relevant domains
Master's degree in computer science/engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a related field; graduate degree work is a plus
4+ years of experience working on applied problems in computer vision, machine learning, or robotics
We'd love to hear from you if...
You love to ship and do great work
You thrive on solving technically challenging problems that haven't been solved before
You have a passion for translating cutting-edge research into practical, deployable solutions
You excel at technical leadership and enjoy elevating the capabilities of those around you
You're energized by the prospect of building foundational technology that will define the future of home robotics
You bring a first-principles approach to problem-solving and aren't satisfied with incremental improvements
Compensation
Base $160,000 — $240,000
Actual Compensation will depend on skills, experience and qualifications. Base Salary is one part of the total compensation package. The role is also eligible for equity through the company’s discretionary equity program, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage access to a 401(k) plan.