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 embodied 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.
Apptronik is seeking a Perception Systems Engineer to join our team in Austin, TX to own the sensor interface layer and real-time perception data pipeline, ensuring robust integration of hardware from the link up to perception consumers. In this role, you will help define the sensor architecture on our next gen robotics platforms, develop device drivers to enable the sensors, and harden our sensor perception pipelines. You will join a dedicated team applying expertise across the robotics stack to solve complex challenges in safety and commercialization to change the world for the better.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:- Sensor Integration & Driver Development: Develop, integrate, and maintain low-level drivers for cameras (GMSL, MIPI) and other sensors to ensure reliable hardware-software communication.
- Calibration & Alignment: Execute and refine camera calibration techniques for both intrinsic and extrinsic parameters to ensure accurate spatial and depth perception.
- Perception Pipeline Profiling: Instrument and profile the end-to-end perception pipeline, identifying and resolving bottlenecks in CPU/GPU utilization and system memory bandwidth.
- Performance Optimization: Implement advanced optimization techniques, such as Direct Memory Access (DMA) and efficient memory buffering, to maximize throughput and minimize system latency.
- Framework Utilization: Apply high-performance processing frameworks (e.g., Holoscan) to streamline sensor data ingestion and processing.
- Hardware-Software Integration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate sensor performance, evaluate hardware trade-offs, and ensure seamless system operation.
- Benchmarking & Validation: Establish and execute performance benchmarks to characterize the perception stack's load on system resources under varying operational conditions.
- Engineering Standards: Adhere to and promote software engineering best practices, including code reviews, clear documentation, and continuous integration.
- Expert-level C++ in Linux for system-level, performance-sensitive, and hard-real-time code.
- Deep experience with sensor protocols like GMSL/MIPI and writing robust device drivers.
- Solid understanding of camera calibration workflows (intrinsics/extrinsics) and geometric vision.
- Ability to optimize system bandwidth (CPU/GPU) and identify latency bottlenecks in pipelines.
- Experience with low-level optimizations (DMA, zero-copy) and frameworks like Holoscan or ROS2.
- Hands-on CUDA/GPU programming and familiarity with NVIDIA Jetson-class embedded platforms.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field; Master's preferred.
- 4+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on perception systems, sensor integration, or high-performance embedded systems.
- 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
- Expert-level C++ in Linux for system-level, performance-sensitive, hard-real-time code
- Deep experience with sensor protocols like GMSL and MIPI and writing robust device drivers
- Solid understanding of camera calibration workflows (intrinsics/extrinsics) and geometric vision
- Ability to profile and optimize CPU/GPU utilization and identify latency/bandwidth bottlenecks
- Experience with low-level optimizations such as DMA and zero-copy buffering
- Experience with high-performance processing frameworks (e.g., Holoscan) or ROS2
- Hands-on CUDA/GPU programming and familiarity with NVIDIA Jetson-class embedded platforms
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- 4+ years of software engineering experience focused on perception systems, sensor integration, or high-performance embedded systems
- Master's degree in a related field
- Adherence to software engineering best practices (code reviews, documentation, continuous integration)
Apptronik Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical insurance through UnitedHealthcare includes multiple plan types with an employer-paid portion, alongside life and disability coverage. These core health benefits are presented as comprehensive for a fast-growing startup.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Company equity is explicitly included in total rewards, with performance bonuses and relocation assistance also listed. This ownership component adds longer-term upside beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Generous parental leave, family medical leave, and an onsite mother’s room are highlighted. These provisions indicate tangible support for caregiving needs.
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.
