AI Engineer (World Models)

Posted Yesterday
San Francisco, CA, USA
In-Office
Entry level
Information Technology • Robotics • Software
The Role
Build the world-model intelligence layer for a general-purpose humanoid robot. Responsibilities include developing predictive world simulators and model-based reinforcement learning systems; applying transformers, diffusion models, NeRFs, and recurrent state-space models; implementing research in Python and C++; integrating models with ROS2 and simulation environments; closing the sim-to-real gap; and converting research prototypes into tested, production-ready systems for real-time robotics.
Summary Generated by Built In

About Us


Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.


Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.


We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. 


Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.


We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.


Our Culture


We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

About This Role
Why You Should Join

  • You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
  • You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it.
  • You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.


Why are We Hiring for this Role:


  • We are building a general-purpose humanoid that must understand and navigate the physical world — and that requires a dedicated engineer to architect the internal models that make that possible
  • World models are the cognitive backbone of our robot; without them, the humanoid cannot plan, predict, or adapt to novel environments
  • We are at an inflection point where our hardware is ready — now we need the intelligence layer to match it
  • The gap between a robot that executes fixed commands and one that truly reasons about its environment is a world model; we are hiring to close that gap
  • As we scale to real-world deployment, our humanoid needs to generalize across unstructured, unpredictable settings — something only a robust world model can enable
  • This hire will directly shape the core intelligence architecture of our platform before it becomes locked in at scale


What Kind of person are we looking for 


  • Hands-on experience building world models, model-based RL, or predictive world simulators using frameworks like PyTorch or JAX — you have shipped these systems, not just studied them
  • Strong foundation in deep learning architectures relevant to world modeling: transformers, diffusion models, neural radiance fields (NeRF), and variational recurrent state-space models
  • Proficient in Python as a primary research and development language, with production-level familiarity in C++ for latency-sensitive inference and real-time robotics integration
  • Experience with robotics middleware and simulation environments — ROS2, Isaac Sim, MuJoCo — and the ability to close the sim-to-real gap in learned representations
  • Experience with video prediction or future-frame generation models (e.g., RSSM, DreamerV3, UniSim, Genie) is a strong plus
  • Able to read and implement from recent arXiv papers with minimal overhead — you are comfortable turning a research prototype into a tested, integrated syste

Skills Required

  • Hands-on experience building and shipping world models, model-based reinforcement learning systems, or predictive world simulators
  • Strong foundation in deep learning architectures including transformers, diffusion models, neural radiance fields, and variational recurrent state-space models
  • Proficiency in Python for research and development
  • Production-level familiarity with C++ for latency-sensitive inference and real-time robotics integration
  • Experience with robotics middleware and simulation environments, including ROS2, Isaac Sim, or MuJoCo
  • Ability to close the sim-to-real gap in learned representations
  • Ability to read and implement recent arXiv papers and turn research prototypes into tested, integrated systems
  • Experience with video prediction or future-frame generation models such as RSSM, DreamerV3, UniSim, or Genie
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: San Francisco, California
58 Employees

What We Do

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage. Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

Similar Jobs

In-Office
2 Locations
19 Employees

Outset AI Logo Outset AI

Customer Success Manager

Artificial Intelligence • Software
Hybrid
San Francisco, CA, USA
30 Employees
130K-180K Annually

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Software Engineer

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office
4 Locations

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Creative Director

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Hybrid
San Jose, CA, USA
8697 Employees
203K-290K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Onshore Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Software • Financial Services
New York, New York
60 Employees
Revel.io Thumbnail
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software
US
50 Employees
Blee Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Marketing Tech • Software • Productivity
US
15 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account