Perception Engineer III - Project Based
This is a project-based employee role supporting the development, integration, and validation of ASI's autonomous dozer platforms. Development phases of this nature typically continue through project completion, often spanning two to four years, although scope and duration are determined by business and customer needs.
JOB SUMMARY
The Perception Engineer III develops, integrates, and validates perception capabilities that enable ASI's autonomous dozers to understand terrain, detect obstacles, recognize work‑area conditions, and operate safely in dynamic construction and earthmoving environments. This role works with data from cameras, LiDAR, radar, GPS/GNSS, inertial sensors, and other systems to support terrain modeling, obstacle detection, traversability analysis, localization, and autonomous machine behavior.
As a Level III engineer within ASI's five-level engineering structure, this position independently contributes to moderately complex perception features and subsystem improvements while receiving guidance on broader architectural and system-level decisions. The role collaborates with GNC, embedded software, systems, test, and field operations teams to develop and validate reliable perception performance for autonomous dozers operating in uneven terrain, dust, changing ground conditions, and active work sites.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop, implement, integrate, and validate perception algorithms for autonomous dozer applications
Contribute to perception capabilities involving obstacle detection, object classification, tracking, terrain understanding, traversability analysis, and work‑area awareness
Process and analyze data from cameras, LiDAR, radar, GPS/GNSS, inertial sensors, and other vehicle systems
Develop and improve terrain models used to support autonomous navigation, path planning, grading, and earthmoving operations
Support the detection and interpretation of terrain features, slopes, berms, drop‑offs, spoil piles, work boundaries, equipment, personnel, and other operational hazards
Contribute to multi‑sensor fusion solutions that provide reliable environmental awareness in outdoor construction environments
Own defined perception features and moderately complex assignments from development through integration, testing, and field validation
Integrate perception software with ASI's autonomous dozer platforms and embedded computing systems
Evaluate perception performance using recorded datasets, simulation, software‑in‑the‑loop testing, hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, and vehicle field testing
Develop measurable performance criteria for assigned perception features and use test results to identify improvement opportunities
Analyze field data to identify false detections, missed detections, edge cases, and environmental performance limitations
Develop tools and scripts for data processing, visualization, labeling, replay, regression testing, and performance analysis
Troubleshoot issues involving sensor calibration, timing, synchronization, coordinate transformations, vehicle movement, and system integration
Support sensor selection, placement, mounting, configuration, calibration, and validation activities
Improve perception software performance for real‑time execution on embedded computing platforms
Collaborate with GNC engineers to ensure perception outputs support navigation, path planning, dozer operations, and autonomous task execution
Work with test engineers and field testers to develop realistic test scenarios and reproduce perception‑related issues
Participate in design reviews, code reviews, sprint planning, and technical investigations
Document algorithms, software interfaces, assumptions, test results, technical decisions, and known system limitations
Support field deployments, customer demonstrations, and troubleshooting activities as required
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, JOB SKILLS
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mathematics, or a related technical field
Typically five or more years of experience developing perception, computer vision, robotics, machine learning, sensor‑fusion, or autonomous‑system software
Strong proficiency in C++ and Python
Experience developing or integrating computer vision, point‑cloud processing, sensor‑fusion, or machine‑learning algorithms
Experience working with cameras, LiDAR, radar, GPS/GNSS, or other robotic sensing technologies
Understanding of coordinate systems, transformations, sensor calibration, data synchronization, and geometric algorithms
Experience working in Linux‑based software development environments
Experience with ROS, ROS2, or comparable robotics middleware
Experience developing production‑quality software using version control, peer review, automated testing, and continuous integration practices
Ability to analyze large datasets and establish measurable criteria for evaluating algorithm performance
Experience troubleshooting software, sensor, and system‑integration issues
Strong analytical, debugging, and technical problem‑solving skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively with cross‑functional engineering and field teams
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Machine Learning, or a related discipline
Experience developing perception systems for autonomous vehicles, construction equipment, heavy machinery, or mobile robots
Knowledge of earthmoving, grading, cut‑and‑fill, site preparation, or construction workflows
Experience with OpenCV, Point Cloud Library, PyTorch, TensorFlow, CUDA, or similar technologies
Experience with machine‑learning approaches for detection, segmentation, classification, depth estimation, or tracking
Experience with LiDAR point‑cloud registration, clustering, filtering, mapping, and ground‑surface analysis
Familiarity with digital terrain models, elevation maps, traversability mapping, or surface reconstruction
Familiarity with Kalman filtering, Bayesian estimation, probabilistic robotics, or other sensor‑fusion methods
Experience optimizing perception software for GPUs or embedded computing platforms
Experience with simulation, recorded‑data replay, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, or software‑in‑the‑loop testing
Familiarity with functional safety concepts and validation practices for autonomous or safety‑critical systems
Experience validating autonomous systems in dusty, high‑vibration, off‑road, construction, mining, or industrial environments
BENEFITS
ASI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
401k with employer match
Generous HSA contribution
PTO, paid holidays, and flextime
ASI covers 90% of employee medical plan costs
At Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI), we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and applicants have equal opportunities. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic. ASI complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding nondiscrimination in employment and is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process.
This is a full‑time, project‑based employment opportunity. Your employment with ASI will be "at will," meaning that either you or ASI may terminate your employment at any time for any lawful reason, with or without cause or advance notice.
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