Senior Virtual Reality Engineer

Target start date: immediately.  Relocation provided.

Since its founding in 2015, 1X has been 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. 

We strive for excellence in all we do, solving some of the hardest problems in robotics with the world’s most talented individuals. Every part of our robots is designed and produced in-house—from motor coils to AI—reflecting our vertically integrated approach. At 1X, you’ll own real projects, be recognized for your achievements, and rewarded based on merit.

We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations. 

As we scale from research and development to full-scale manufacturing, we are looking for a Senior Virtual Reality Engineer to take the lead in crafting immersive VR teleoperation systems for our humanoid robots.

In this role, you will drive the design and development of next-generation VR solutions, combining technical expertise with creative problem-solving to deliver intuitive, high-performance systems. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, shaping the intersection of robotics and immersive technology, and directly impacting the future of humanoid robots.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of immersive VR teleoperation interfaces, leveraging Unity, OpenXR, and advanced native plugin integration.

• Architect and implement complex VR systems optimized for real-time robot teleoperation, ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability.

• Collaborate with robotics and AI teams to integrate VR systems with robot kinematics, motion controls, and sensor feedback, creating seamless human-robot interaction.

• Innovate and solve challenging VR problems, such as minimizing motion sickness, improving hand-eye coordination, and enhancing immersion in teleoperation scenarios.

• Continuously refine and elevate the user experience through intuitive UI/UX design, developing advanced menus, widgets, and interactive components.

• Stay at the forefront of VR and AR technology trends, driving innovation and applying emerging tools and techniques to enhance teleoperation capabilities.

• Mentor and guide less experienced engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.

• Represent the VR domain in cross-functional leadership discussions, influencing product and technology strategies.

• Demonstrated experience in VR development, with a proven track record of delivering high-impact, production-grade systems.

• Extensive expertise in Unity-based development, including OpenXR integration and building advanced, scalable VR applications.

• Strong background in VR system architecture, including optimizing for real-time performance and integrating native plugins.

• Deep understanding of immersion techniques, scale perception, motion sickness mitigation, and user-centered design principles.

• Exceptional coding skills in C++ and Python, with the ability to debug, optimize, and deliver complex systems.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work seamlessly with diverse, cross-functional teams.

Nice to have

• Experience with robotics systems, including kinematics, motion control, and sensor integration.

• Knowledge of media streaming protocols (RTSP, RTP, SDP, WebRTC) and DSP for spatial audio and beamforming.

• Familiarity with accelerating AI inference and computationally intensive processes within VR systems.

• Passion for pushing the boundaries of AR/VR technology and applying it to impactful, real-world applications.

Location

We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations.

Sunnyvale, CA 

We are in the heart of the Silicon Valley in a commuter-friendly location with plenty of parking, access to 101 or 280. If you prefer public transportation, Orange Line (VTA) light rail station is across the street. Living in the Bay Area, you will have access to many activities available in its proximity from surfing in Half Moon Bay to skiing at Tahoe, wine tasting in Napa, hiking on the many trails or other sports activities on the many tennis courts, golf courses, etc.

Typical interview process 

• Introductions - interviews to learn more about you and talk about 1X and the role

  • Interview with a member of the Talent Acquisition team

  • Hiring manager / senior team member / technical interview

• Team interviews - technical interviews and deep-dives with team members. May include a take home challenge, presentation or problem-solving exercise

  • Technical deep-dive conversation with a team member 

  • Onsite interviews with team members 

• Final stages - you move to the final round

  • Expectation management with the hiring manager 

  • We will conduct reference checks

  • Job offer conversation 

Depending on the role and your background, additional interviews may be added. You are also welcome to request additional conversations with anyone you would like to meet, but didn’t get to meet during the interview process.

We are 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: Creating an Abundant Supply of Labor using Safe, Intelligent Humanoids. We believe what we build today will impact generations.

We are an inclusive environment and value diversity of background, experiences and thought, and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to contribute to our mission.

We're excited to get to know you and the prospects of having you on board!