Staff Perception Hardware Engineer

Apptronik
Austin, Sunnyvale
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeFunction: Hardware, Embedded & Systems EngineeringExperience: 8+ yearsEducation: phdSkills: ["Technical leadership","Cross-functional collaboration","Root-cause analysis","Troubleshooting","Stakeholder alignment"]

Serve as the execution leader for Apollo’s perception hardware systems, taking camera and sensor modules from prototype through DVT and into production-ready builds. Lead hands-on integration, aggressive troubleshooting, and physical validation of custom optics, multi-gigabit data links, and real-world image quality (IQ). Own bring-up, synchronization, calibration fixture deployment, and system-level EMI/EMC debugging, partnering across Industrial Design, Mechanical, Thermal, and software teams to ensure Apollo perceives reliably at scale.

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FursaFursa
Apptronik
Apptronik
2 days ago

Staff Perception Hardware Engineer

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Last checked: 51 minutes agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Serve as the execution leader for Apollo’s perception hardware systems, taking camera and sensor modules from prototype through DVT and into production-ready builds. Lead hands-on integration, aggressive troubleshooting, and physical validation of custom optics, multi-gigabit data links, and real-world image quality (IQ). Own bring-up, synchronization, calibration fixture deployment, and system-level EMI/EMC debugging, partnering across Industrial Design, Mechanical, Thermal, and software teams to ensure Apollo perceives reliably at scale.
Location: Austin, Sunnyvale
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Hardware, Embedded & Systems Engineering
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Lead end-to-end physical integration of the visual perception stack, transitioning prototype designs into production-ready camera assemblies that meet FOV, thermal, and mechanical stability targets.
  • •Define electrical, optical, and mechanical specifications for custom sensor modules; manage vendors and contract manufacturers through build and validation.
  • •Architect and own bring-up, DVT, and End-of-Line test plans for custom sensor modules, ensuring readiness before integration into the humanoid platform.
  • •Perform hands-on ISP tuning and IQ validation on the actual robot, including auto-exposure, white balance, and tone mapping in real-world environments.
  • •Lead high-speed bring-up and deep debugging of the multi-gigabit video backbone and implement hardware synchronization and calibration fixture deployment across cameras, LiDAR, and IMUs.

Key Requirements

  • •8+ years of hands-on experience integrating and shipping complex vision hardware systems for robotics, autonomous vehicles, or advanced AR/VR platforms.
  • •Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • •Proven track record taking perception hardware from breadboard through DVT and into mass production.
  • •Expert proficiency with high-end lab equipment (high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, TDRs) for EMI/EMC and intermittent signal integrity troubleshooting.
  • •Deep understanding of CMOS sensor tuning and optical lens artifacts, plus system-level calibration and math for multi-camera/stereo/VIO validation (Python/C++).
Experience:8+ yearsRoboticsAutonomous vehiclesAdvanced AR/VRVision hardware
Education:PhD / Doctorate
Skills:Technical leadershipCross-functional collaborationRoot-cause analysisTroubleshootingStakeholder alignment
Languages:English
Tech Stack:PythonC++GMSL2GMSL3FPD-LinkLiDARIMUsVisual-inertial odometry (VIO)DVTEOLOscilloscopesLogic analyzersTDRsAuto-exposureWhite balanceTone mapping

Company Brief

Apptronik
Develops advanced general-purpose robots and robotic limbs for industrial and commercial applications, combining hardware, actuators, and control software to enable versatile, human-scale robot solutions.
Industry: Robotics
Company Size: Medium (51 to 250 employees)
Growth: Growth Stage Startup
Funding: Series A
Headquarters: Austin, United States
Founded: 2018
WebsiteLinkedIn