Head of Vision – Language – Action (VLA) Development – Manipulation in London
Head of Vision – Language – Action (VLA) Development – Manipulation

Head of Vision – Language – Action (VLA) Development – Manipulation in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Shaw Daniels Solutions

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative AI and robotics projects, shaping the future of humanoid robots.
  • Company: Pioneering UK AI and robotics company with a focus on humanoid automation.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, stock options, paid vacation, and office perks like meals and snacks.
  • Why this job: Join a fast-paced startup and make a real impact in robotics and AI.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years in deep learning, with leadership experience and expertise in robotics.
  • Other info: Collaborate with global teams and enjoy high autonomy in your role.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Location: London – 5 days in the office

Our Clients

They are the UK's first AI and robotics company dedicated to building advanced, reliable, and commercially scalable humanoid robots. Their flagship platform, HMND-01, is a next-generation labour automation system designed to deliver efficient, adaptable performance across real-world environments, beginning with industrial applications.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the strategy and execution of representation learning, behaviour cloning, and reinforcement learning programs.
  • Drive large-scale post-training for multi-modal LLM / VLM / VLA systems, integrating vision, audio, proprioception, LiDAR, and point cloud data.
  • Build pipelines to continuously collect, version, label, and evaluate simulation and tele-operation data.
  • Partner with MLOps and platform teams to scale distributed training and optimise models for real-time edge inference.
  • Grow, mentor, and unblock a high-performing team of researchers and engineers.

Requirements

  • 6+ years developing deep learning systems, with 2+ years in technical leadership.
  • Hands-on experience with LLM/VLM architecture design and large-scale training.
  • Proven expertise in robotics or autonomous systems (behaviour cloning, actor-critic, offline RL).
  • Experience deploying to humanoid or legged robots.
  • Track record of shipping to real hardware and refining via data flywheels.
  • Background in autonomous control and planning.
  • Contributions to research or open-source in multi-modal transformers, diffusion control, or world models.
  • Familiarity with OpenVLA, π models, or other VLA frameworks.

Competitive compensation and stock options. Paid vacation (aligned with local labour regulations). Opportunities to collaborate across our teams in Vancouver and Boston. Office perks including meals, snacks, and team events. High autonomy and direct ownership of impactful initiatives. Work with leading experts across AI, robotics, and engineering. A fast-moving, transparent, low-bureaucracy startup environment.

Seniority Level: Associate

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Function: Information Technology

Industries: Robotics Engineering and Robot Manufacturing

Head of Vision – Language – Action (VLA) Development – Manipulation in London employer: Shaw Daniels Solutions

As the UK's pioneering AI and robotics company, we offer an exceptional work environment in London, where innovation meets collaboration. Our culture is built on high autonomy, transparency, and a commitment to employee growth, providing opportunities to lead impactful projects alongside industry experts. With competitive compensation, stock options, and a range of office perks, we ensure our team thrives both professionally and personally in a fast-paced startup atmosphere.
Shaw Daniels Solutions

Contact Detail:

Shaw Daniels Solutions Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Vision – Language – Action (VLA) Development – Manipulation in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the robotics and AI space, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got projects or research that align with the role, make sure to highlight them in conversations. Bring your portfolio to life and let your passion shine through.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company’s products and challenges. Think about how your experience with LLM/VLM systems can help them tackle their goals. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Vision – Language – Action (VLA) Development – Manipulation in London

Deep Learning Systems Development
Technical Leadership
LLM/VLM Architecture Design
Large-Scale Training
Robotics Expertise
Behaviour Cloning
Actor-Critic Methods
Offline Reinforcement Learning
Deployment to Humanoid Robots
Data Flywheel Refinement
Autonomous Control and Planning
Multi-Modal Transformers
OpenVLA Familiarity
Collaboration Across Teams

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Vision – Language – Action role. Highlight your experience in deep learning systems and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about robotics and AI, and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this position. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch.

Showcase Relevant Projects: If you've worked on projects related to LLM/VLM architecture or autonomous systems, make sure to include them in your application. We’re keen to see real-world examples of your work and how they relate to our mission.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Shaw Daniels Solutions

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest in deep learning systems and robotics. Familiarise yourself with LLM/VLM architecture design and be ready to discuss your hands-on experience. They’ll want to see that you can talk the talk and walk the walk!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've grown and mentored others in your previous positions. Highlight specific instances where you’ve unblocked challenges for your team and driven successful projects.

Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Think of scenarios where you had to tackle complex issues in robotics or autonomous systems. Be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to arrive at a solution. They’ll appreciate your analytical skills and innovative thinking.

Connect with Their Vision

Research the company’s flagship platform, HMND-01, and understand its applications. Show genuine interest in their mission to build humanoid robots and be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.

Head of Vision – Language – Action (VLA) Development – Manipulation in London
Shaw Daniels Solutions
Location: London

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