At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deploy real-time perception systems for robotic manipulation.
- Company: Kinisi Robotics is pioneering next-gen robot manipulation for real-world environments.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, equity, flexible hours, and comprehensive health coverage.
- Why this job: Join a cutting-edge team blending academia and product in robotics innovation.
- Qualifications: PhD or outstanding Master's in relevant fields with 3+ years of experience required.
- Other info: Work in a state-of-the-art lab with collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re building the next generation of robot manipulation systems for unstructured, real-world environments. As a Perception Engineer, you will design, prototype, and deploy high-performance perception pipelines that enable our robots to see, understand, and dexterously interact with the world in real time. You’ll sit at the intersection of academia and product, translating state-of-the-art research into production-ready software running on ROS 2 based platforms.
What You’ll Do
- Own the real-time perception stack for robotic manipulation tasks, from sensor acquisition through to fused 3-D scene understanding and grasp/placement proposals.
- Research, prototype, and benchmark novel algorithms in 2-D/3-D vision, multi-modal fusion, and dense correspondence that push manipulation speed and reliability.
- Implement, optimize, and profile deep-learning models in PyTorch and C++ (CUDA) to meet strict latency budgets on embedded GPUs/accelerators.
- Integrate perception modules in ROS 2, ensuring clean interfaces, deterministic scheduling, and robust failure handling.
- Conduct rigorous real-world and simulated experiments, and communicate results through clear technical reports and publications (internal and external).
- Collaborate cross-functionally with controls, planning, and hardware teams to close perception–action loops and ship production-quality releases.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD (or outstanding Master’s + equivalent publications) in Robotics, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, or a closely related field.
- 3+ years hands-on experience building real-time perception systems for robot manipulation or autonomous platforms.
- Advanced proficiency in Python and modern C++17/20; proven track record writing clean, testable, high-performance code.
- Deep expertise with PyTorch (training & inference) and GPU programming (CUDA, TensorRT, or similar).
- Production experience with ROS 2 (rclcpp/rclpy, lifecycle nodes, DDS tuning, real-time QoS).
- Strong publication record in top-tier venues (e.g., RSS, ICRA, CoRL, CVPR, RAL).
Preferred Qualifications
- Track record shipping perception on manipulation platforms (e.g., mobile manipulators, bin-picking arms, industrial cobots).
- Familiarity with multi-sensor calibration, tactile or force perception, depth cameras (D-ToF, active stereo), and point-cloud processing (PCL, Open3D).
- Experience deploying on-device inference for NVIDIA Jetson/Orin, Intel ARC, or similar edge accelerators.
- Contributions to open-source robotics or vision libraries.
- Comfortable working in an agile, research-driven environment with fast iteration cycles.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, equity, and performance bonus.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
- Annual conference budget & dedicated research time.
- Flexible hours and hybrid/remote-friendly culture.
- State-of-the-art lab space with collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams.
Contact Detail:
Kinisi Robotics Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Perception Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in perception systems and robotics. Follow relevant research papers and publications, especially those from top-tier venues like RSS and CVPR, to understand the current trends and challenges in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the robotics community by attending conferences or workshops. Networking with professionals in the field can provide insights into the industry and may lead to valuable connections that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience with real-time perception systems. If you have worked on projects involving ROS 2, PyTorch, or GPU programming, be prepared to discuss these in detail during interviews to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by practising coding challenges related to Python and C++. Focus on writing clean, efficient code and be ready to explain your thought process, as this will highlight your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge.
We think you need these skills to ace Perception Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in robotics, computer vision, and machine learning. Emphasise your hands-on experience with real-time perception systems and any specific projects that align with the role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for robotics and how your background makes you a perfect fit for the Perception Engineer position. Mention specific skills like proficiency in Python, C++, and experience with ROS 2 that are crucial for the role.
Showcase Your Publications: If you have a strong publication record, include a section in your application that lists your most relevant papers. Highlight those published in top-tier venues to demonstrate your expertise and contributions to the field.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to perception algorithms, deep learning models, and ROS 2 integration. Be ready to discuss your previous projects and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Perception Engineer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kinisi Robotics
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with real-time perception systems, particularly in robotics. Highlight specific projects where you've implemented algorithms in 2-D/3-D vision or worked with ROS 2, as this will demonstrate your hands-on expertise.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect technical questions that assess your ability to tackle challenges in perception engineering. Practice explaining your thought process when developing algorithms or optimising deep-learning models, as this will showcase your analytical skills.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Experience
Since the role involves cross-functional collaboration, be ready to share examples of how you've worked with teams in controls, planning, or hardware. Discussing successful projects where teamwork was key will highlight your ability to integrate perception modules effectively.
✨Communicate Your Research Impact
With a strong publication record being a requirement, prepare to discuss your research contributions. Be ready to explain how your work has influenced the field and how you can translate academic findings into practical applications for the company.