Tactile AI Research Engineer - Special Projects (Robotics)

Summary

We are seeking research scientists and engineers with strong backgrounds across mechatronics, controls, haptics, robotics, simulation, and machine learning to drive breakthrough innovations in intelligent robotic systems. This position requires a hands-on approach, integrating software and hardware solutions to push the boundaries of perception, control, and intelligence. You will work alongside world-class researchers and engineers, contributing to technologies that power the Apple ecosystem.

Description

We are a team of best-in-the-world research scientists and engineers with deep experience in computer vision, machine learning, robotics, haptics, and related areas. We work on exciting new technologies that bring joy to millions of people. In our daily work, the team stays innovative, productive, and fun by sharing some key values:

Passion for the mission: We’re here to make something extraordinary. We seek whatever work is right and strive for the best possible results.
Modesty: The right answer is more significant than being right. We search for solutions as a team and value clear-eyed feedback.
Lean habits: You can’t grow without limits. Time constraints and big goals encourage us to sharpen our focus and learn to make phenomenal decisions.

Responsibilities

• Implement and train state-of-the-art machine learning models for tactile-enabled robotic systems.
• Optimize and deploy machine learning models on physical systems, ensuring policing durability across sim-to-real-gaps.
• Curate and generate training data from simulation and real-world demonstrations ensuring adequate coverage of complex contact physics.
• Establish evaluation metrics and testing protocols to benchmark policy performance.
• Collaborate across disciplines leverage expertise and advance impact across multiple stakeholders.
• Document research findings, methodologies, and technical developments for internal knowledge sharing and external publications.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience successfully deploying tactile-based policies in robotics.
• Strong proficiency in Python and C++ with experience in complex, multi-language systems.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow.
• Strong software engineering skills, delivering clean, well-tested, and optimized code.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Functional understanding of tactile sensing and haptics technologies to solve challenges in interaction and manipulation.
• Strong foundation in robot kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and control.
• Experience with a wide range of physics simulation software and their contact mechanics (e.g. Mujoco, IssacLab simulator, Drake, etc.).
• Successful record of employing machine learning techniques to achieve useful system performance.