We’re looking for a Staff Embedded Perception Engineer specializing in tactile sensing to help advance the next generation of robotic manipulation. In this role, you will design and develop sensing systems that allow robots to physically interact with the world, transforming raw tactile signals into meaningful data that drives intelligent robot behavior.
You will work at the intersection of embedded systems, sensing hardware, signal processing, simulation, and robotics, developing high-bandwidth data acquisition systems and firmware that enable robots to perceive contact, force, and interaction with their environment. This role requires hands-on experimentation and close collaboration with teams across electrical, mechanical, and software engineering to build sensing solutions that improve the capabilities and reliability of robotic platforms operating in dynamic environments.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, evaluate, and demonstrate new sensing solutions that enable reliable closed-loop robotic manipulation and interaction with the environment
Architect and implement high-performance embedded firmware to acquire, process, and stream high-bandwidth data from tactile sensors
Design and deploy automated data collection routines using robot end-effectors or instrumented test rigs to generate ground-truth datasets for sensor calibration and modeling
Conduct hands-on testing to characterize sensor behavior under operational loads including motion, vibration, and thermal variation
Develop data processing pipelines that leverage advanced DSP techniques to filter, fuse, and compress raw sensor signals into optimized representations used by robotic perception and behavior models.
Model sensor performance and drive the integration of tactile sensing into simulated virtual environments (e.g., Isaac Sim, MuJoCo) to effectively bridge the sim-to-real gap
Debug complex electronics, perform failure analysis, and investigate root causes to improve reliability and system performance
Work closely with software, systems, manufacturing, and test engineering teams to define hardware interfaces and ensure successful system integration
Document designs, experiments, and learnings while contributing to improved development processes, tools, and design standards
To be successful in this role, candidates must possess the following foundational qualifications. We are looking for individuals who meet these core requirements through a combination of relevant education and hands-on experience.
MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field. BS with significant relevant experience will also be considered
5+ years of experience developing embedded systems in robotics, automation, or similar electromechanical products
Strong understanding of the physical principles behind tactile sensing and the ability to model sensor behavior and translate physical limitations into robust data representations
Experience using version-control (Git) and developing embedded C/C++ and Verilog/VHDL firmware for robotic systems, emphasizing SPI, I2C, and CAN communication with underlying hardware.
Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch applied to sensor data processing or representation learning
Strong technical communication and documentation skills
Any of the experience listed below would be applicable in this role. It is ideal, but not required, that candidates possess all of these qualifications.
Experience with bare-metal development for high-bandwidth sensor readout and low-latency systems
Experience designing and executing hardware-based data collection campaigns to generate ground-truth datasets for sensor calibration, modeling, or simulation environments such as Mujoco or Isaac Sim
Experience integrating multiple sensor modalities such as vision, force/torque sensors, IMUs, or audio arrays into complex electromechanical systems
Experience debugging electronics and conducting environmental or reliability testing in motion-centric applications
Familiarity with EMC/EMI testing and standards is a plus
Certifications related to robotics safety, reliability engineering, or IPC standards are a plus
The pay range for this position is between $134,399.06 to $184,798.70 annually. Base pay will depend on multiple individualized factors including, but not limited to internal equity, job related knowledge, skills and experience. This range represents a good faith estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Boston Dynamics offers a generous Benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401(k), paid time off and a annual bonus structure. Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer for employment.
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