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Staff Perception Hardware Engineer

Apptronik· Hardware
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Austin, TXfull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Staff Perception Hardware Engineer at Apptronik, focused on leading perception hardware systems for Apollo humanoid robotics, including high-performance cameras, optics, and multi-gigabit data links, with hands-on bring-up, validation, ISP tuning, and manufacturing deployment.

Responsibilities

  • End-to-End System Execution: Lead the physical integration of the robot’s visual perception stack. Drive the transition from prototype designs to fully validated, production-ready camera assemblies, ensuring all FOV, thermal, and mechanical stability targets are met on the physical hardware.
  • Custom Module Development & Vendor Execution: Define electrical, optical, and mechanical specs for custom sensor modules; drive external optical vendors and contract manufacturers through the build process, ensuring adherence to Apptronik’s standards.
  • Custom Bring-Up & Validation Plans: Architect and own bring-up, DVT, and End-of-Line test plans for all custom-built sensor modules, ensuring rigorous validation before integration into the humanoid platform.
  • Hands-on ISP Tuning & IQ Validation: Own image quality on the robot; perform ISP tuning (auto-exposure, white balance, tone mapping) in real-world environments to meet ML and teleoperation requirements.
  • High-Speed Bring-up & Deep Debugging: Lead electrical bring-up and validation of multi-gigabit video backbone; escalate complex EMI/EMC debugging and track signal integrity across moving joints.
  • Synchronization Execution: Implement and measure hardware-level synchronization across cameras, LiDAR, and IMUs; prove sub-microsecond timing accuracy for VIO.
  • Calibration & Fixture Deployment: Design, build, and deploy calibration fixtures and algorithms; resolve drift issues and scale calibration from lab to factory.
  • Cross-Functional Adjudication (DfX): Act as technical adjudicator among ID, Mechanical, and Thermal teams; drive testing to resolve conflicts between aesthetics, FOV, and thermal needs.
  • Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Lead cross-functional problem-solving, mentor engineers, and foster rigorous physical testing and root-cause analysis.

Qualifications

  • Master or Ph.D degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • 8+ years of hands-on experience integrating and shipping complex vision hardware systems for robotics, autonomous vehicles, or advanced AR/VR platforms
  • Shipped product focus: experience taking complex perception hardware from breadboard to DVT to mass production
  • Vendor management experience with optical vendors, CMOS manufacturers, and contract manufacturers for custom camera/sensor modules
  • Hands-on troubleshooting mastery with high-end lab equipment (high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, TDRs)
  • Deep optical & image physics knowledge (CMOS sensor tuning, lens artifacts, enclosure considerations)
  • System-level math & calibration skills for multi-camera arrays and VIO; ability to script (Python/C++) for hardware validation
  • Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct reporting authority
  • Agility to ship in fast-paced, high-growth environments

Skills

Required:End-to-End system integrationVendor management (optical, CMOS, contract manufacturers)Hands-on hardware debugging with RF/high-speed signalsOptical physics & CMOS sensor tuningMulti-camera calibration and VIOCross-functional influenceCalibrations fixtures design and deployment

Benefits

  • Equal employment opportunities
  • Harassment-free workplace
  • Discrimination-free hiring practices
Last updated Aug 30, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Apptronik

One Platform for the Future of Work

Apptronik designs humanoid robotics platforms with mobility, manipulation, and human-centered interaction to support people in the workplace.

3PLApolloApollo for ManufacturingApollo for RetailApollo for WarehouseBuilt for the Real WorldForm That Fits the WorkGoods-to-Person
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