Principal Physical AI Engineer (Multi-Robot & Swarm Systems)
At a glance
Senior AI Engineering role at ST Engineering. Singapore, SG.
Pay not stated AI Engineering salary
aimlroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Develop core team-robot functions for task assignment, shared sensing data, swarm actions and communication
- Connect robot drivers and sensors to simulation environments, then check behavior in simulation and on physical robots
- Build fast messaging flows between robots and cloud services, and contribute ROS2 components to autonomy stacks
- Create tools that help teams visualize, troubleshoot, log and monitor multi-robot systems
- Turn customer needs into technical designs, advise senior managers on MRS advances, and lead capability development and research
What you bring
- A master’s or doctorate in computer science, robotics, mechatronics, electrical engineering or a related field
- Ten to fifteen years building multi-robot or swarm systems
- Strong command of multi-robot architectures, decentralized interaction protocols and swarm algorithms
- Working knowledge of data fusion, SLAM, localization, motion planning and control loops in robotics
Who this fits
This principal-level role suits an experienced engineer who can guide technical development and stay hands-on with prototyping and robot testing. You’ll work with controls, perception, systems and AI/planning engineers. The role calls for independent work as well as collaboration.
From the employer
About the Role
We are looking for a Principal Physical AI Engineer with strong foundations in Multi-Robot System (MRS) and Physical AI to help build next-generation MRS/Swarm collaboration solutions. You will work on real-time distributed/decentralised robotic planning, coordination, perception, communication, and infrastructure that enables autonomous teams of robots to operate collectively in complex environments.
Responsibilities
· Develop and maintain core multi-robot collaboration modules (multi-robot task allocation, distributed data fusion, swarm behaviours, inter-robot comms management etc.).
· Integrate robotics hardware drivers, sensors, and simulation platforms (Gazebo/Ignition, Webots, Isaac Sim, etc.).
· Design and optimize real-time data pipelines for robot-to-robot and robot-to-cloud messaging.
· Contribute to ROS2 nodes, services, actions, and build robust MRS autonomy stacks.
· Develop system tooling for visualization, debugging, logging, and telemetry.
· Prototype in simulation and validate on physical robotic platforms.
· Collaborate with cross-functional robotics engineers (controls, perception, systems, AI/planning).
· Formulate the conceptual and detailed technical solution for the development of applications to meet customer requirements.
· Provide recommendations on relevant emerging technology in MRS/Swarm to senior management.
· Identifying and leading strategic technical capability development for MRS/Swarm.
· Collaborate on research and development projects to explore new capabilities and applications for MRS/Swarm technology.
Minimum Requirements
· Masters/PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
· 10-15 years of experience building multi-robot or swarm systems.
· Extensive knowledge Multi-Robot System Architecture like Distributed Autonomous Systems, Multi Agent System and Swarm etc.
· Deep knowledge of decentralised interaction protocols and swarm algorithms like Contract Net Protocol (CNP), Petri nets, Boids algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimisation etc.
· Familiarity with robotics fundamentals: Distributed Data Fusion, SLAM, localization, motion planning, control loops.
Preferred Requirements
· Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++.
· Experienced with Generative AI and/or Agentic AI frameworks.
· Experienced with ROS2, microservices, or real-time systems.
· Understanding of distributed systems or networking (pub/sub, DDS, gRPC, etc.).
· Familiarity with simulation tooling (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, Webots, Unity robotics etc).
Additional Skills
· Comfortable with rapid prototyping and research-to-production workflows.
· Strong debugging and system-thinking mindset.
· Able to work independently and in a collaborative applied research environment.
· Curious, open to experimentation, and willing to push boundaries in autonomy.
What We Offer
· Opportunity to work on cutting-edge multi-agent/swarm robotics systems with real-world deployment.
· Exposure to both research-driven and practical engineering challenges.
· Hands-on robotics testing, both simulation and physical platforms.
· Flexible and innovation-friendly engineering culture.