> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1228169-physical-ai-distributed-systems-researcher](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1228169-physical-ai-distributed-systems-researcher). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Physical AI Distributed Systems Researcher - **Company:** Real-Time Innovations - **Location:** St. Louis, MO, United States (Remote available) - **Salary:** $83,200.0 - $124,800.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Computer-Aided Design, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Networks, Distributed Systems, Software Engineering, Information Technology - **Published:** July 10, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/us31c23cb751723b04bfaf28b0cc116f00/eaa ## About the Role * Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering or related field. Appropriate research expertise includes electromechanical, intelligent or autonomous systems, distributed systems, physical agentic AI, or computer networking. * An experimental thesis or real-world experience with physical applications or distributed systems research. * Excellent written communications skills, and evidence of research publications. Experience writing and winning proposals, and research project management. * Solid programming skills and experience with AI-assisted software development. * Ability to work successfully / actively engage with a highly distributed team. * US Person requirement *Due to applicable laws, government regulations and contract specifications, we are required to fill this position only with an individual who qualifies as a "U.S. Person." ## Description To help drive this mission, we are looking for a Physical AI Distributed Systems Researcher to tackle the industry's toughest challenges, including enabling AI coding for distributed systems, delivering determinism and timing control, designing software-defined architectures, and ensuring system-wide coherence. This role is an unparalleled opportunity to join our truly unique research team. RTI Research is highly regarded; our excellent record helps us win millions of dollars in funding per year. Unlike academia or other corporate research departments, RTI's team works closely with product development and field teams delivering real-world applications. Like other top teams, we are creative, we take risks, we drive innovation, and we communicate openly. Unlike other top teams, our product and customers drive our results into real application. If you like to take creative risks and drive innovation, knowing your cutting-edge work will actively power the future of smart distributed systems, this role is for you. What You'll Do / Responsibilities You will work with a team of experts researching emerging technologies, coming up with novel solutions for the problems posed by our research sponsors, exploring new concepts for products, prototyping ideas, and leading small teams to develop and to enhance advanced features related to RTI's secure real-time connectivity platform, Connext. This is an individual contributor role. Duties will include: * Innovate new solutions that will form the foundation of secure, adaptable, and fast distributed systems * Work with the business-development team to define research areas of interest and define interesting research proposal topics * Compose research proposals and report progress to research sponsors * Execute and lead research contracts to push our technology forward * Serve as Principal Investigator and/or Staff Member on externally-funded research contracts * Actively interface with research project sponsors, customers, research partners, and prospects * Develop expertise in emerging technology and share your insights across RTI * Communicate technical innovations through papers and presentations * Support the transition of promising technical innovations to product including customer trials, coordinating with product management, and working closely with the engineering team to design, develop, test and support this transition ## Related Videos - [Best Practices for AI-Assisted Development of Distributed Systems](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100200-best-practices-for-ai-assisted-development-of-distributed-systems) - [Distributed search under the hood](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/256-distributed-search-under-the-hood) - [The Avengers Initiative (Practical Ethics for Software Engineers)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2070-the-avengers-initiative-practical-ethics-for-software-engineers) - [Physical AI: The Era of Intelligent Machines](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100141-physical-ai-the-era-of-intelligent-machines) - [Your Distributed System Just Got a Brain. Now What?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100017-your-distributed-system-just-got-a-brain-now-what) - [Trends, Challenges and Best Practices for AI at the Edge](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/630-trends-challenges-and-best-practices-for-ai-at-the-edge) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Dev Digest 137 - AI'm not sure about this](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/485-dev-digest-137-ai-m-not-sure-about-this) - [MLOps And AI Driven Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/82-mlops-and-ai-driven-development)