Software Engineer - Perception (Fallback Stack)

About the role

As a Perception Software Engineer on the Autonomy team, you will build the perception system for L4 autonomous trucks operating at highway speeds. The stack combines state-of-the-art machine learning - multi-modal 3D detection, BEV representations, learned tracking - with rigorous classical perception: state estimation, multi-object tracking, and sensor fusion. You will own problems end-to-end, from model architecture and training through onboard deployment and on-road validation. This is safety-critical software: every capability passes formal simulation, closed-course, and safety sign-off gates before it reaches public roads.

You will collaborate daily with behavior/planning engineers, systems and safety engineers, and validation teams.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

Design, train, and deploy deep learning models for 3D object detection across LiDAR, camera, and radar sensors

Build multi-sensor fusion architectures that combine independent detection and classification streams

Characterize perception failure modes, build targeted evaluation sets, and hill-climb system-level metrics

Build and operate the data engine: shadow-mode comparison against production, automated data mining, and retraining loops

Contribute to camera- and LiDAR-based localization perception under degraded conditions

Take your work through the full safety validation pipeline before it operates on public roads

We're looking for someone who has:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

4+ years of professional experience in ML-based perception, computer vision, or robotics

Strong proficiency in Python and C++

Hands-on experience training and deploying deep learning models in production (e.g., PyTorch)

Solid grounding in classical perception: multi-object tracking, state estimation, and 3D geometry

Nice to have:

Experience working in modern ML-based perception for autonomous systems

Experience with multi-sensor calibration and fusion

Experience optimizing models for onboard/embedded GPU inference

Background in safety-critical or automotive software development

Experience in a startup or fast-paced environment

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact careers@applied.co. We will work with you!