Robotics Software Engineer, Manipulation
Persona AI Inc1 day ago
Houston, TX, USASenior
Responsibilities
- Design and implement advanced dexterous manipulation algorithms for high-DOF humanoid robots and multi-fingered hands.
- Develop and optimize pipelines for perception, grasping, trajectory optimization, motion planning, and control.
- Implement force/motion control and visual/tactile servoing for precise manipulation.
- Integrate manipulation systems with the humanoid robot’s whole-body controller and contribute to loco-manipulation.
- Develop digital twins and use simulation for manipulation algorithm development.
- Test manipulation algorithms in simulated and real-world environments.
- Collaborate with the machine learning team to train and deploy models for advanced manipulation tasks.
- Track current manipulation research and apply traditional and deep learning-based approaches.
- Develop contact modeling and force/torque estimation methods, including tactile sensing and feedback, as applicable.
- Contribute to learning-based grasp strategies, behavior cloning, and reinforcement learning, as applicable.
Requirements
- BS, MS, or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- 7+ years of robotics experience, or 5+ years with an advanced degree, focused on control and manipulation of robotic or humanoid arms.
- Strong background in motion planning, control theory, and optimization.
- Demonstrated expertise implementing manipulation algorithms for tasks such as pick-and-place, bin picking, and door opening.
- Proficiency in C++, Python, and relevant robotics libraries such as MoveIt!, Drake, and OpenRAVE.
- Experience with trajectory optimization libraries such as IPOPT, SNOPT, and qpOASES.
- Proficiency with modern deep learning techniques for manipulation.
- Experience with computer vision, sensors, point clouds, segmentation, and object detection.
- Familiarity with ROS, LCM, or other middleware for robotic systems.
- Publications in top-tier robotics conferences and experience in a humanoid robot startup environment are bonus qualifications.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation, performance-based bonus, early-stage equity, and competitive PTO.
- Employer-covered medical benefits for most healthcare plans.
- Company-wide paid winter break from December 24 through January 2.
- Full-time, exempt position based in Houston, Texas, with 10% travel.