AI Systems Engineer – Robotics

Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands. We’re hiring an AI Systems Engineer - Robotics for a remote opportunity. This is a direct hire role with a regular business hours schedule based on the EST time zone.

Join a pioneering team building a next-generation, AI-enabled safety platform. As the first AI hire, you’ll own the computer-vision and perception stack for autonomous inspection robotics. You will develop real-time models, data pipelines, and edge deployments, integrate with ROS2 navigation and cloud systems, and validate your work in live industrial environments to help bring the platform from concept to commercial scale.

Pay for this position ranges from $165,000 to $185,000.

There is no application deadline for this role.

AI Systems Engineer - Robotics Responsibilities:

• Architect, train, and optimize computer-vision models for real-time safety inspection and damage detection.
• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines for training, validation, and continuous improvement.
• Deploy and optimize models on edge (Jetson Orin/Xavier); implement inference, logging, and monitoring.
• Integrate perception with sensors/cameras and ROS2 navigation; collaborate with robotics, mechanical, and software teams.
• Design cloud data flows for inference logs, retraining loops, and reporting dashboards.
• Prototype multimodal sensing (thermal, infrared, vibration) to enhance perception robustness.
• Execute field testing in industrial environments; iterate to production-level accuracy and reliability.
• Document architectures, datasets, and performance; establish reproducible practices and internal knowledge base.
• Track state-of-the-art AI/robotics; leverage and adapt open-source models appropriately.
• Lead AI/perception roadmap; influence hiring, partnerships, and technology choices for future scaling.

AI Systems Engineer - Robotics Qualifications:

• 3+ years in AI/computer vision/applied ML, ideally in industrial or robotics contexts.
• Strong Python; familiarity with C++ and ROS2 integration preferred.
• Proficiency with PyTorch or TensorFlow, OpenCV, and vision frameworks (YOLO, YOLOv8, Detectron, segmentation, object detection).
• Experience deploying models on edge devices (NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/Xavier or similar).
• Knowledge of transformer-based or multimodal models for perception.
• Data-pipeline design and dataset curation; labeling tools such as Roboflow or CVAT.
• Metrics-driven validation (mAP, precision, recall) and real-world test methodology.
• Systems thinking across sensors, cameras, perception, and cloud; security and compliance awareness.
• Comfortable in ambiguous, fast-paced, high-ownership settings; strong cross-functional communication.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS, Robotics, EE, or related field.

Perks & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• 401(k) Program.
• Commuter Benefit.
• eLearning & Ongoing Training.
• Education Reimbursement.

*Eligibility requires working over 30 hours per week on an assignment lasting at least 10 weeks.

If you meet the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, apply today! Our team will connect with you to discuss next steps, support you through the interview process, and advocate for your success.