Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
As a Senior Perception Hardware Engineer focusing on Sensor Calibration, you will own the critical link between the physical world and our robot's autonomy stack. Apollo relies on a complex, multi-modal perception suite to navigate and manipulate its environment.
Your mission is to ensure these sensors act as a unified, mathematically perfect system. You will design the physical fixtures, write the calibration algorithms, and build the scalable factory processes that define the intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal calibration of our humanoid robots. You will be the resident expert on optical physics, 3D geometry, and sensor precision.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Calibration Architecture & Algorithms- Sensor Modeling: Define and implement robust intrinsic models for various optical sensors (e.g., pinhole, fisheye, Brown-Conrady, Kannala-Brandt) and inertial sensors (bias, scale factors, random walk).
- Extrinsic Calibration: Develop highly accurate sensor-to-sensor and sensor to kinematic base spatial transformations.
- Temporal Synchronization: Work with electrical and embedded teams to validate hardware-level timing. Ensure sub-microsecond synchronization across all perception streams using PTP (Precision Time Protocol), PPS, and hardware triggering.
- Precision Fixturing: Design the physical calibration targets (e.g., CharuCo boards, custom 3D geometries) and the lighting environments required for high-repeatability factory calibration.
- Mounting & Stability Validation: Collaborate with mechanical engineers to evaluate and optimize sensor mounting rigidity. Characterize calibration drift caused by thermal gradients, mechanical shock, and joint wear.
- End-of-Line (EOL) Automation: Build the automated calibration pipeline for our manufacturing line, allowing non-engineers to reliably calibrate a multi-sensor humanoid head in minutes.
- Online/In-Field Calibration: Develop lightweight "auto-calibration" or self-diagnostic routines that allow Apollo to detect sensor drift in the field and dynamically adjust its extrinsic transforms without human intervention.
- Data & Analytics: Establish a data-tracking architecture to monitor fleet-wide calibration health, identifying batch variances or specific hardware degradation over time.
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Experience: 5+ years of industry experience in perception hardware, computer vision, or robotics, with a primary focus on sensor calibration and validation.
- Mathematical Foundation: Deep understanding of 3D geometry, linear algebra, coordinate frame transformations (quaternions, rotation matrices, SE(3)), and non-linear optimization (least-squares, bundle adjustment).
- Software Proficiency: Strong programming skills in Python and C++. Extensive experience with computer vision libraries (OpenCV, PCL) and optimization frameworks (e.g., Ceres Solver, g2o).
- Hardware Intuition: Hands-on experience working directly with optical components, LiDAR mechanisms, and MEMS IMUs. You understand the physical limitations that cause optical distortion, rolling shutter artifacts, and IMU drift.
- System-Level Thinking: Ability to translate abstract autonomy requirements (e.g., "we need 1cm grasping accuracy at 1 meter") into concrete hardware and calibration tolerances.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Education: MS, or PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
- Hearing and speech to communicate
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Skills Required
- 5+ years industry experience in perception hardware, computer vision, or robotics with primary focus on sensor calibration and validation.
- MS or PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
- Strong programming skills in Python and C++.
- Extensive experience with computer vision and point-cloud libraries (OpenCV, PCL).
- Experience with optimization frameworks such as Ceres Solver or g2o (bundle adjustment, least-squares).
- Hands-on experience with optical components, LiDAR mechanisms, and MEMS IMUs; familiarity with optical distortion and IMU drift.
- Deep understanding of 3D geometry, linear algebra, coordinate frame transforms (quaternions, rotation matrices, SE(3)), and non-linear optimization.
- Experience with temporal synchronization methods and hardware timing (PTP, PPS, hardware triggering) and working with embedded/electrical teams to validate timing.
- Ability to design precision calibration fixtures, lighting environments, and evaluate mounting stability; characterize thermal/mechanical drift.
- Experience building scalable factory End-of-Line automation and lightweight online/in-field auto-calibration routines.
- Ability to translate autonomy accuracy requirements into hardware and calibration tolerances (system-level thinking).
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds; prolonged periods of desk/computer work; vision, hearing, and speech for communication.
Apptronik Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical coverage is described as broad, with UnitedHealthcare plan choices (HDHP, PPO, HMO) and an employer-paid portion of premiums, alongside FSA and mental health benefits. This scope points to solid core medical support for employees.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave, family medical leave, and an onsite Mother’s Room are highlighted, with additional family-oriented events noted. These offerings indicate meaningful support for caregivers and families.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Flexible or open PTO is paired with paid holidays and sick days, and a hybrid setup enables at least two remote days per week where roles allow. Together, these policies signal ample time-off mechanisms and schedule flexibility.
Apptronik Insights
What We Do
Apptronik is building robots for the real world to improve human quality of life and to help solve the ever-increasing labor shortage problem. Our team has been building some of the most advanced robots on the planet for years, dating back to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. We apply our expertise across the full robotics stack to some of the most important and impactful problems our society faces, and expect our products and technology to change the world for the better. We value passion, creativity, and collaboration to help us overcome existing technological barriers in the industry to create truly innovative products.
Why Work With Us
At Apptronik, we don't see a future where man competes against machine. Instead, we envision a harmonious world where man and machine coexist. Our mission statement, "It is not Man vs. Machine, but Man + Machine," encapsulates our belief that the synergy between humans and robots will pave the way for a brighter, more advanced future.
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Apptronik Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
