aimlroles

Principal Software Engineer, Perception Architect

Zoox zoox.com Open · verified Oct 22, 2026
Hybrid Foster City Full-time Senior Machine Learning Engineering

At a glance

Senior Machine Learning Engineering role at Zoox. Foster City · full-time · $410,000–$492,000 base.

SalaryStated by Zoox
$410,000 – $492,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
RoleMachine Learning Engineering
SenioritySenior
LocationFoster City
WorkplaceHybrid
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$410,000–$492,000
PostedApr 20, 2026 · 6mo ago
Role brief

aimlroles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

  • Set the perception architecture from LiDAR, radar, and camera inputs through to the fused world model
  • Shape compute and sensing hardware choices so perception algorithms can meet their resource needs
  • Move perception from current pipelines toward AI-based approaches while preserving safety and interpretability for edge use
  • Assess emerging technologies for the three-to-five-year roadmap and set latency and accuracy measures across edge environments
  • Coordinate partner teams on platform transitions and align their projects with the wider technical direction

What you bring

  • A Ph.D. or master’s in computer science, robotics, electrical engineering, or a related field focused on computer vision
  • At least eight years in autonomous systems, including two or more years in an architecture role shipping and evolving perception systems
  • Deep expertise in computer vision, deep learning, foundational models, sensor fusion, and state estimation methods such as SLAM and EKF/UKF
  • Production-level C++ and Python skills, plus experience running system experiments and metrics platforms

Who this fits

This senior role suits someone who can set perception architecture and explain technical trade-offs to both technical teams and executive leaders. It is based in Foster City and listed as hybrid.

From the employer

Be the visionary Perception Architect designing the sensory "nervous system" for our next generation of autonomous products. Evolve our end-to-end perception architecture, serving as the essential liaison between Sensing teams and the core ML system. Drive architectural evolution toward next-generation sensing and compute platforms by influencing Hardware-Software Co-Design.

In this role, you will:

  • System Synthesis: Define the end-to-end perception architecture—assess new sensing (LiDAR, Radar, Camera) to the final fused world model.
  • Hardware-Software Co-Design: Partner with Compute and Sensing teams to influence the design, ensuring our algorithms have the "computational oxygen" they need.
  • Algorithmic Strategy: Lead the transition from current pipelines to AI innovation pipelines, while maintaining the safety and interpretability required for edge deployment.
  • Future-Proofing: Evaluate emerging technologies and determine their viability for the 3-5 year roadmap.
  • Performance Budgeting: Collaborate on rigorous metrics for latency and accuracy across diverse edge-computing environments.
  • Lead cross functional teams: to create a viable plan to move to new platforms and unlock further technical capabilities for Perception systems. Coordinate projects across partner teams to make sure work is aligned with the overall org direction.

Qualifications

  • Education: Ph.D. or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on Computer Vision.
  • Experience: 8+ years in autonomous systems with at least 2 years in an architectural role, shipping and evolving perception systems
  • Deep Domain Expertise: Mastery of systems focused on Computer Vision, Deep learning, Foundational models, Sensor Fusion, and State Estimation (SLAM, EKF/UKF). Deep understanding of sensor modalities and their impact to perception/autonomy systems, including: Camera, lidar, radar.
  • Platform Proficiency: Deep understanding of hardware acceleration, component budgeting and transition to new platforms.
  • Mathematical Rigor: Strong foundation in 3D geometry, linear algebra, and probabilistic robotics.
  • Hands on Skills: Proficiency in C++ (production-grade) and Python (rapid prototyping). Ability to run experiments across system components and run metrics platforms.
  • Soft Skills: Curious, Data driven, with ability to translate complex technical trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders and executive leadership.