Research/Applied Scientist - Manipulation Skill Composition

Job Description

Job DescriptionOur mission is to solve the most important and fundamental challenges in AI and Robotics to enable future generations of intelligent machines that will help us all live better lives.
Team Overview:Robots need to make significant progress in manipulation performance and capabilities before they become commonplace in our lives. The Manipulation team is developing robot mechanisms and behaviors that enable smooth, efficient execution of manipulation tasks. Our goal is for robots to operate with human-like cadence and versatility, with enough generalization to perform multiple tasks within the same domain in any appropriate environment.
Our Research Spans:Improving hardware for high-speed, high-strength, and dexterous manipulation, including underactuated manipulatorsUsing learning methods to develop robust capabilities for novel environmentsDeveloping parameterized skills and chaining them into long-horizon behaviorsApplying robust strategies for failure recovery in manipulation tasks
Role Overview:We seek an Applied Scientist / Research Scientist to advance the state of the art in long-horizon, robust, dexterous manipulation learned from few demonstrations. The role involves researching, developing, and validating new algorithms and models for skill learning, composition, and real-world deployment. You will collaborate across hardware, software, and research teams to integrate and test these capabilities in physical robotic systems.Basic Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent experience in robotics, computer science, mechanical engineering, or related field
• Master’s degree with several years of industry or applied research experience
• Bachelor’s degree with significant and relevant hands-on industry experience
• 7 Years in Research and Development
• Expertise in machine learning for control, imitation learning, and/or reinforcement learning
• Experience with robot manipulation, motion planning, and perception systems
• Proficiency in Python and C++

Preferred Qualifications:

• Publications in top-tier robotics or AI venues
• Experience deploying algorithms on real robotic platforms
• Knowledge of dexterous manipulation, task and motion planning, behavior abstractions, skill completion prediction, failure detection and recovery, and/or using machine learning models for long-horizon skill chaining.
• Ability to solve problems rapidly in hands-on, real-world scenarios

The current reasonable and good faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $128,100 - $237,900, which is based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, educational background and certifications, performance and qualifications, market demand for the role, geographic location, and other organizational needs. An individual candidate may be considered for this position at a different job level, in which case the appropriate salary range will be provided to the candidate after their qualifications have been established.
Employees who are new to the RAI Institute typically receive an offer that is between the minimum and the midpoint of the posted salary range to allow for growth within the range over time.
Base pay is part of a competitive total compensation package that may include an annual bonus, a long-term cash incentive, monthly cell phone cost reimbursement, commuter cost subsidy, medical benefits, and more.
Any final job offer will be determined based on our established compensation range for the role, the candidate’s experience and qualifications, internal parity, and market and business considerations. The advertised pay range is not a guarantee or promise of a specific wage.We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit 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.