Software Engineer

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Irvine, CA, United States
7 days ago
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Role details

Contract type
Permanent contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Experience level
Expert
Experience required
4 years minimum
Working hours
Regular working hours

Tech stack

Artificial Intelligence Computer Vision C++ (Programming Language) Eigen (C++ Library) Python (Programming Language) Linear Programming Computational Geometry Software Engineering Spatial Data Infrastructures Containerization Linux Development Information Technology
+5 more
Production Code C++14 Lidar Data Pipelines Docker

Job description

Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications. What You Get To Do:

  • Develop and optimize point cloud processing pipelines, including registration, denoising, normal estimation, segmentation, and primitive extraction
  • Design efficient algorithms for large-scale, unstructured 3D datasets with attention to memory and runtime performance
  • Implement production-grade computational geometry and linear algebra in C++ and Python
  • Solve complex reconstruction challenges such as loop closure, global consistency, and multi-view fusion
  • Evaluate and integrate emerging 3D vision methods (e.g., neural implicit representations, advanced meshing techniques)
  • Partner with platform teams to ensure scalable, efficient deployment of algorithms

Requirements

  • 4+ years of experience in Computer Vision, Computational Geometry, or 3D-focused Software Engineering
  • Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field with specialization in 3D vision or geometric processing
  • Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++14/17) and Python
  • Solid mathematical foundation in 3D geometry, linear algebra, rigid body transformations (SE(3), quaternions), and projective geometry
  • Deep experience with point cloud algorithms (ICP, GICP, RANSAC, NDT, region growing) and spatial data structures (k-d trees, octrees, voxel grids)
  • Hands-on experience with libraries such as PCL, Open3D, Eigen, or Ceres
  • Familiarity with common 3D data formats (PCD, PLY, E57, LAS)
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to translate academic research into production-ready code

What Sets You Apart:

  • Experience with non-linear optimization frameworks (Ceres, GTSAM, g2o) for bundle adjustment or pose graph optimization
  • Background in SLAM or Structure from Motion (SfM) pipelines
  • Experience processing LiDAR, RGB-D, or photogrammetry datasets
  • Familiarity with Linux development environments and containerization (Docker)
  • Exposure to ROS (not required)
  • Knowledge of survey-grade accuracy standards and georeferencing algorithms

Our salary range is generous and we take into consideration an individual’s background and experience in determining final salary; base pay offered may vary considerably depending on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

About the company

Why Join Field AI? We are solving one of the world’s most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment. You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals. Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision - innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We’re seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators. We are headquartered in always-sunny Mission Viejo (Irvine adjacent), Southern California and have US based and global teammates. Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close-knit team on an exciting journey!

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