Robotics Technical Lead (AI & Manipulation) at Unitxlabs

Job Title: Robotics Technical Lead (AI & Manipulation) About UnitX: UnitX builds the world's leading physical AI systems to automate repetitive visual tasks in factories. UnitX is a fast-moving startup with a team from Stanford, MIT, Google, and beyond. Since inception, UnitX has deployed 1,000+ mission-critical systems across 190+ of the world's leading manufacturers' production lines. Every year, $15B worth of products go through UnitX's AI inspection system to ensure quality. If you are a customer-obsessed, first-principle problem solver who loves getting into the technical nitty gritty to deliver compelling, quantifiable, and scalable value to our customer within the 24/7 mission-critical manufacturing world, there is truly no better place to do it than UnitX. We have assembled a world-class team of problem solvers in Silicon Valley and would love to talk to you. Role Overview: We’re looking for a visionary and hands-on Robotics Technical Lead (AI & Manipulation) to lead the development of our next-generation AI based robotics products. This role is critical to driving the convergence of deep learning, robotics, perception, and real-world deployments. Your work will directly impact how machines understand, interact with, and adapt to the physical world. What you will do: - Own and drive the AI & Robotics roadmap, from R&D to deployment in real-world systems. - Lead teams in developing models for vision, control, and decision-making (e.g., deep learning, classical control, sensor fusion). - Architect and oversee implementation of real-time perception, manipulation, or motion planning algorithms. - Build foundational models or modular AI components to scale across robotic platforms. - Define and enforce engineering best practices for data collection, training pipelines, and model validation. - Partner with Hardware, Product, and Supply Chain teams to deliver reliable systems with tight feedback loops. - Evaluate and integrate state-of-the-art research; stay ahead of trends in robotics, AI, and simulation. What we are looking for: - 8+ years of experience in AI, robotics, or related domains. - Proven experience shipping mission-critical AI-powered robotic systems or products (e.g., in automation, logistics, or manufacturing). - Deep expertise in one or more of: computer vision, reinforcement learning, motion planning, control, or edge deployment. - Fluency with modern ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow), robotic middleware (ROS2, DDS), and simulation tools (Isaac Sim, Gazebo, etc.). - Strong understanding of systems integration — bridging AI, firmware, and mechanical systems. - Track record of building and leading high-performing teams. - PhD or MS in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. Nice to have: - Experience in factory or industrial automation environments. - Familiarity with real-time systems, sensor calibration, and hardware constraints. Benefits: - Competitive salary & equity - Unlimited PTO - Full Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k - Daily meals provided with your own choice