Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) (London)
Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) (London)

Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) (London)

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and development of cutting-edge computer vision systems for humanoid robots.
  • Company: Join Humanoid, a pioneering tech company revolutionising robotics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 23 days annual leave, private healthcare, and free meals at the office.
  • Other info: Dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI and robotics while working with top-tier experts.
  • Qualifications: Deep experience in machine learning, especially with large models and scene understanding.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.

About the Role

We're hiring a Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) to join our Perception and Navigation team based in London. In this role you will lead the design, development, and optimization of cutting-edge computer vision and spatial understanding systems, including object detection, semantic segmentation, 3D scene reconstruction, and persistent geometric reasoning.

What You'll Do

  • Develop next-generation spatial understanding systems for robot locomotion and manipulation, integrating perception and high-level reasoning.
  • Work on open-ended navigation powered by Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models — enabling robots to understand context, predict intent, and act in complex, dynamic environments.
  • Design and scale auto-labeling and large-scale data pipelines to train and evaluate multimodal models for navigation and interaction.
  • Develop and implement scene understanding and 3D reconstruction methods that give robots persistent spatial memory and geometric awareness.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional research and engineering teams to bring large vision-language models into real-world robotic systems.
  • Stay ahead of the field — rapidly evaluate new model architectures, benchmarks, and datasets to guide our embodied AI roadmap.

What We're Looking For

  • Deep experience in machine learning for vision or embodied AI, ideally with large models (VLMs, VLAs, transformers, diffusion, or multi-modal architectures).
  • Strong background in scene understanding, spatial reasoning, or 3D reconstruction from visual data.
  • Proficiency in PyTorch and hands‑on experience building, fine‑tuning, and deploying large‑scale ML systems.
  • Strong experimental and research skills — capable of taking projects from concept to model training, evaluation, and robot integration.
  • Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, research‑driven environment with evolving models, data, and tools.

What We Offer

  • Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), separate sick leave, and paid bank holidays and company holidays.
  • Fully funded private healthcare for UK employees, with broad provider access, virtual and in‑person care, and strong mental health and serious illness support.
  • Pension scheme with a total 8% contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
  • Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in‑office.
  • Collaboration with top‑tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
  • Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.

Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) (London) employer: Thehumanoid

At Humanoid, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of robotics and AI, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about innovation. Our London-based team thrives in a collaborative and dynamic work culture, offering meaningful benefits such as fully funded private healthcare, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth alongside industry leaders. Join us to be part of a mission that not only amplifies human potential but also fosters a supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
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Contact Detail:

Thehumanoid Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) (London)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to machine learning and computer vision. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Confidence is key!

✨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 are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Humanoid.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) (London)

Machine Learning
Computer Vision
Spatial Understanding
Object Detection
Semantic Segmentation
3D Scene Reconstruction
Vision-Language-Action (VLA) Models
Data Pipelines
PyTorch
Model Training
Evaluation
Robotic Integration
Research Skills
Adaptability in Fast-Moving Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior ML Engineer role. Highlight your experience with machine learning, especially in vision and embodied AI. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Humanoid!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for robotics and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that relate to the job description.

Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on relevant projects, don’t hold back! Include links to your GitHub or any publications. We love seeing practical applications of your skills, especially in spatial understanding and navigation.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at Thehumanoid

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your machine learning concepts, especially around vision and embodied AI. Be ready to discuss your experience with large models like VLMs and VLAs, and have examples of your work in scene understanding and spatial reasoning at the tip of your tongue.

✨Showcase Your Projects

Prepare to talk about specific projects where you've developed or optimised ML systems. Highlight your hands-on experience with PyTorch and any large-scale ML systems you've built or deployed. This is your chance to shine, so bring along any relevant code samples or project summaries.

✨Collaborate Like a Pro

Since the role involves working with cross-functional teams, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with others in past projects. Share examples of how you’ve integrated feedback from different stakeholders and how you’ve contributed to team success in a fast-paced environment.

✨Stay Ahead of the Game

Demonstrate your passion for the field by discussing recent advancements in ML and robotics. Talk about any new model architectures or datasets you've been exploring, and how you think they could influence future developments in the industry. This shows you're not just a follower but a thought leader in the space.

Senior ML Engineer (VLA & Navigation) (London)
Thehumanoid
Location: London

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