Apptronik
Robotics
StaffSystemsEngineer-Perception
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“Staff Systems Engineer - Perception at Apptronik. Skills: Perception system architecture, Systems engineering, Requirements definition, Functional safety. Define system-level architecture. Define system requirements”
Industry & Context.
Complex trade studies; Mathematical models
Sitting at desk, Working on computer, Lift 15 pounds, Vision to read, Hearing and speech
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
8+ years Systems Engineering experience, BS, MS, or PhD in related field, Systems Engineering for electromechanical systems, Systems Engineering for autonomous vehicles, Systems Engineering for aerospace, Systems Engineering for advanced robotics
Nice to Have
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies
What You'll Do.
Define system-level architecture
Define system requirements
Define system performance
Translate capabilities into requirements
Define latency budgets
Define field-of-view mapping
Define compute allocation
Drive complex trade studies
Define Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
Establish Verification and Validation (V&V) strategy
Ensure perception system meets safety standards
Define perception system architecture
Balance manipulation needs
Balance obstacle avoidance needs
Balance teleoperation needs
Lead data-driven trade studies
Adjudicate architectural decisions
Own critical system budgets
Manage photon-to-action latency
Manage compute utilization
Manage memory bandwidth
Manage spatial FOV coverage
Elicit perception system requirements
Define perception system requirements
Manage perception system requirements
Decompose product-level goals
Define hardware specifications
Define software specifications
Author Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
Maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
Define perception sensor boundaries
Define compute cluster boundaries
Define autonomy software stack boundaries
Ensure alignment across teams
Define test methodologies
Prove system meets requirements
Perform Hazard Analysis
Perform Risk Assessments
Define safety-critical detection zones
Define fail-safe degradation states
Define hardware redundancy requirements
Act as technical adjudicator
Resolve conflicts between teams
Elevate systems engineering rigor
Mentor engineers in MBSE
Mentor engineers in requirement writing
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Autonomy software team; Hardware engineering teams; Multi-disciplinary teams; Cross-functional teams
Process & Methodology
Requirements traceability, V&V matrices
Full Job Description
Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond. We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better. The Role Apptronik is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to own the system-level architecture, requirements, and performance of Apollo’s perception suite. In this role, you are the technical connective tissue between the Autonomy software team and the Hardware engineering teams. You will translate high-level autonomy capabilities (e.g., "the robot must safely grasp a moving object" or "navigate a cluttered warehouse") into rigorous, verifiable system requirements (latency budgets, field-of-view mapping, resolution, and compute allocation). As a Staff-level leader, you will drive complex trade studies, define Interface Control Documents (ICDs), establish the Verification and Validation (V&V) strategy, and ensure the perception system meets the stringent functional safety standards required for a humanoid robot operating alongside humans. Key Responsibilities Architecture & Trade Studies System Architecture: Define the top-level architecture for the robot's perception system, balancing the needs of Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO), manipulation, obstacle avoidance, and remote teleoperation. Trade Studies: Lead data-driven trade studies to adjudicate complex architectural decisions (e.g., Stereo Vision vs. LiDAR for close-range manipulation, edge-compute vs. centralized processing, global vs. rolling sh
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