At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deploy cutting-edge perception systems for robots in real-time.
- Company: Join Kinisi Robotics, a leader in innovative robotic manipulation technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, equity, flexible hours, and comprehensive health coverage.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of robotics, blending research with practical applications in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: PhD or outstanding Master's in relevant fields; 3+ years experience in real-time perception systems.
- Other info: Hybrid work options available for top talent; state-of-the-art lab space.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ 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.
Perception Engineer employer: Kinisi Robotics
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 or CVPR, to stay updated on cutting-edge techniques that could impress during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the robotics community by attending conferences or meetups. Networking with professionals in the field can provide insights into the company culture at StudySmarter and may even lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing an interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience with real-time perception systems through personal projects or contributions to open-source initiatives. Having a portfolio that demonstrates your skills in Python, C++, and ROS 2 will make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by practising coding challenges related to computer vision and robotics. Focus on algorithms and data structures that are commonly used in perception tasks, as this will help you demonstrate your problem-solving abilities effectively.
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 job description.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for robotics and how your background fits the role of Perception Engineer. Mention specific skills like proficiency in Python, C++, and experience with ROS 2, and relate them to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Publications: If you have a strong publication record, make sure to include this in your application. Highlight any papers published in top-tier venues related to robotics or perception, as this will demonstrate your expertise and commitment 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 you approached challenges in real-time systems during interviews.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kinisi Robotics
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a Perception Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in Python, C++, and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've implemented real-time perception systems, and consider bringing code samples or project documentation to highlight your contributions.
✨Understand the Role of ROS 2
Familiarise yourself with ROS 2 and its components, as this will be crucial for the position. Be ready to explain how you've integrated perception modules in ROS 2 in past projects, and discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Algorithm Discussions
Expect to dive deep into algorithms related to 2-D/3-D vision and multi-modal fusion during the interview. Brush up on the latest research and be ready to discuss how you can apply these concepts to improve manipulation speed and reliability in robotic systems.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
This role requires cross-functional collaboration with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with controls, planning, and hardware teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to work in an agile, research-driven environment.