Staff Applied Research Scientist, Perception

Key Skills

C++, Computer Vision (CV), Deep Learning, Design, Machine learning techniques, Python Programming, PyTorch, TensorFlow

Job Description

We’re building the world’s most advanced self-driving vehicles to safely connect people to the places, things, and experiences they care about. We believe self-driving vehicles will help save lives, reshape cities, give back time in transit, and restore freedom of movement for many.

In our cars, you’re free to be yourself. It’s the same here at Cruise. We’re creating a culture that values the experiences and contributions of all of the unique individuals who collectively make up Cruise, so that every employee can do their best work. 

Cruise is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, both in our workplace and in our products. If you are looking to play a part in making a positive impact in the world by advancing the revolutionary work of self-driving cars, come join us. Even if you might not meet every requirement, we strongly encourage you to apply. You might just be the right candidate for us.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

As a Staff Applied Research Scientist - Perception, you drive the research projects that address the everyday challenges that happen on urban roads, ones that do not have standard solutions available. On a day-to-day basis, you will:

• Formulate problems
• Propose, prototype, evaluate, and iterate solutions
• Support productizing and deploying solutions to robot cars
• Initiate and lead new projects
• Considered one of the technical leaders of the department who guides current and future technology choices
• Have a deep understanding of the business and operational impact for different technology tradeoffs, and able to balance effectively based on company’s need
• Enable others engineers on the team to be more effective through design and code that is easy to extend and contribute into
• Capable of influencing others and building consensus even over contentious technical debates

WHAT YOU MUST HAVE:

• PhD / MS degree in computer vision, machine learning or a related field with multiple research publications in top conferences or journals; alternatively equivalent years of industry experience solving CV problems which do not have readily-available solutions
• Expertise in at least one of these specific areas: 2D/3D object detection, semantic / instance segmentation, fine-grained attribute understanding, human pose / gesture recognition, image sequence / semantics understanding, image embedding, visual/LIDAR-based tracking, multi-object tracking, and vision-based behavior prediction
• Track record of driving ML research projects from start to completion, including conception, problem definition, experimentation, iteration, and finally publication or productization
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

BONUS POINTS!

• PhD in machine learning, computer vision, or robotics vision
• Experience using deep-learning frameworks, e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc
• Experience in deploying perception algorithms and models into real-world environments

The salary range for this position is $193,900 - $285,000. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills and experience. You may also be offered a bonus, restricted stock units, and benefits. These ranges are subject to change.

WHY CRUISE?

OUR BENEFITS ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE WHOLE YOU:

• Competitive salary and benefits 
• 401(k) Cruise matching program 
• Medical / dental / vision, AD+D and Life
• Subsidized mental health benefits
• Flexible vacation and company paid holidays
• Healthy meals and snacks available for non-remote employees
• Paid parental, jury duty, bereavement, family care, and medical leave
• Fertility Benefits
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefit Plan for non-remote employees

CruiseFlex, a working policy for US-Based Cruisers, lets you and your manager find the working style that’s best for you, whether it’s primarily in-person, primarily at home, or a combination of home and in-office time. - learn more about CruiseFlex here