Research Engineer, Foundation Models
On-site- Sunnyvale, California, United States
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Job description
Targeted start date: Immediately. Relocation provided.
We are at the forefront of developing advanced humanoid robots designed for household use. Our mission is to create an abundant supply of labor via safe, intelligent humanoids. As we transition from R&D to full-scale manufacturing, we seek an experienced Research Engineer, Foundation Models.
Research Engineers in foundation models are generalists who build and maintain end-to-end responsibility for our AI models. A typical day involves implementing new model architectures, developing full-stack infrastructure for ramping up our data engine, or implementing new ways to evaluate general-purpose robot policies. You will train and scale deep neural networks for manipulation, navigation, and locomotion on real robot hardware and improve both the breadth of skills and level of success of our androids. You will work closely with other AI team members and also develop independently.
Why this job is exciting
Your role on the team will be to scale up learning algorithms on state-of-the-art hardware
You will build upon one of the largest android datasets, which is continuing to grow exponentially
We aim to (1) double the number of tasks the robot can perform and (2) half the error rate on existing tasks, quarter over quarter
The team works closely together to prioritize direction and scale up a single approach to a production-ready system
Responsibilities
Day to day: implement and scale up models for end-to-end navigation and manipulation and locomotion
Build the data engine (frontend UI and backend) to log, clean, and label data for foundation model training
Solve the general-purpose evaluation problem and bring robot skills to 99%+ success
Train and evaluate policies in simulation and solve sim-to-real
Work with our robot operations team to scale up our datasets and model capabilities
Job requirements
Must-Haves
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent
Published research in top ML conferences (NeurIPS, CVPR, ICML, ICLR, CoRL, RSS, etc.)
Proficiency working with and testing large codebases in Python
Ability to rapidly prototype ideas in code in an independent manner
Familiarity with linear algebra and supervised machine learning
Experience with Deep Learning Frameworks (Pytorch, TF, JAX, etc.)
Nice-to-haves
ROS/ROS2 experience
Have built large programming projects on your own for fun (e.g. open source projects)
Training large-scale ML models such as visual foundation models, large language models, pixel-level generative models
You spend time reading r/LocalLLaMA/ and tinkering with open source LLM technology
Have implemented highly performant software
Compensation
We offer a total compensation package including base salary from US$105,000 to US$250,000 annually, with generous stock options and other benefits.
We seek the world's most talented individuals with a passion for inventing and building a more prosperous future. At 1X you'll get to own real projects and be rewarded for your achievements and output. We hire, recognize and reward based on merit. We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence.
Interview process
Introduction Stage - we have initial conversations to get to know you better
- [30m] Recruiter Screen with Moe Thitsa
- [45m] Hiring Manager technical interview with an AI team member
Team Interview Stage
- On-site or remote team interview with the AI team
Final Interview Stage - we move you to our final round
- We will conduct reference checks.
- [30m] CEO interview with Bernt, to be scheduled based on need
- [15m] Job Offer Conversation with Eric Jang
You are welcome to request additional conversations with anyone you would like to meet, but didn’t get to meet during the interview process.
Not sure if this is you?
Studies have shown that women are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. If you’re excited about this role, but you’re not sure if you qualify, apply anyway! You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Location
This position is based in Sunnyvale, California, USA, at our newly renovated AI headquarters. We offer visa sponsorship for exceptional candidates. Joining our team means becoming a valued member of one of the biggest brands in humanoid robotics, where you'll play a part in shaping the future of general purpose androids.
A value driven team
These are the ideas that express our team’s culture and how we work:
Be Nice
Collaboration is our driving force. Our team creates an open, trusting environment where everyone can be their most creative.
Stay Smart
A world-changing team needs the brightest minds in every discipline. This is where people come to work, learn, and grow to their full potential.
Make History
Everything we do gets us closer to one ambitious vision: general-purpose androids helping people around the globe. We believe what we build today will impact generations.
1X is an inclusive and equal-opportunity employer that values diversity. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don't hesitate to let us know during the interview process. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
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Our mission is to design Androids that work alongside people, to meet the world’s labor demands and build an abundant society.
