Artificial Intelligence Engineer I

At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:   

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.   
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.   
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

The AI Engineer I acts as a core technical contributor responsible for building and deploying production-ready AI applications. Moving beyond proof-of-concept, this role focuses on end-to-end system development – from concept to prototype and finally production deployment, of Computer Vision and Machine Learning models into industrial robotics [Laser Guided Vehicles (LGV), Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), Automated Mobile Robots (AMR), and various other automated or integrated material handling solutions]. The engineer will interface directly with hardware, sensors, cameras, and operational systems to deliver AI-driven solutions that operate reliably in a manufacturing environment.

Essential Functions

 Computer Vision & Model Training:

• End-to-end ownership of perception model development for projects, ensuring high accuracy in model inference.

• Design and implement data pipelines to collect, clean, and annotate sensor data to improve model performance continuously.

• Optimizes algorithms for edge deployment, ensuring models run efficiently on embedded systems with limited compute resources.

 Robotics Integration:

• Integrates AI software with hardware or control systems, programming autonomous inspection missions and data capture routines.

• Designs and develops logic to ensure safe operation, including a robust "clear path" validation logic to distinguish between false positives and real safety hazards.

• Interfaces sensors (LiDAR, GPS, IMU, Ultrasonic) with software applications to create a complete semantic understanding of the facility surroundings.

 Algorithm Development:

• Designs and develops end-to-end solutions using image analysis techniques to solve complex industrial problems.

• Collaborates with Systems Engineers to implement data streams for digital twin construction, translating real-world sensor inputs into virtual model states.

• Leverages latest AI techniques for orchestration, reasoning, or operator-facing intelligence within larger manufacturing systems

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, or related Engineering field.
  • 2 years of professional experience in software development or data science.
• Technical Skills:

• Programming: Advanced proficiency in Python and C++ for production environments.
• Software Architecture: Experience designing modular, maintainable AI systems and APIs for production deployment.
• Computer Vision: Practical experience with OpenCV, Object Detection (YOLO/SSD), and feature extraction.
• ML Frameworks: Proficiency in PyTorch or TensorFlow. Experience with ML libraries like scikit-learn, and LLM APIs/frameworks like LangChain/LlamaIndex
• Robotics: Experience integrating perception and AI software with robotic platforms and sensor systems (cameras, LiDAR, radar), including real-time data ingestion and synchronization Competencies
• Find a Way: Seeks technical solutions independently and debugs complex hardware-software integration issues without immediate escalation.
• InnovACT: Proactively recommends code optimizations or new library adoptions to improve system latency.
• Communication: Effectively communicate technical concepts and tradeoffs to cross functional teams, including non-technical stakeholders.
• Experimental Mindset: Open to exploring, prototyping, and evaluation of new ideas, models, and approaches, using experimentation and data to inform decision making and drive continuous improvement.

                *experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 3–5 Years of professional experience in software development or data science. 
• Industry Experience:
  • 3+ years of experience specifically in Industrial Automation, Manufacturing, or Logistics sectors.
  • Proven track record of 3–5 full lifecycle implementations of engineering automation systems (from concept to production deployment), rather than just research or academic projects.
• Advanced Robotics & Vision:
  • Hands-on experience with SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry), or Structure from Motion (SFM) techniques.
  • Experience working with 3D Point Cloud data (LiDAR/Depth Cameras) for object detection and navigation.
• Deployment & Edge Computing:
  • Experience deploying AI models on edge computing devices (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi) or embedded microprocessors.
  • Familiarity with model optimization tools (e.g., TensorRT, ONNX) to ensure algorithms run efficiently in real-time environments.
• Simulation & Digital Twins:
  • Exposure to simulation environments (e.g., NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Gazebo, or Unity) for testing robotics algorithms before physical deployment.
• Project Management:
  • Experience using Agile/Scrum methodologies to manage software development sprints.

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Education

• Minimum Required: 
  • Bachelor's Degree In Computer Science or any related discipline of engineering, or the equivalent in combined education and considerable experience in a similar field may be considered equivalent.

• Preferred: 
  • Master's Degree in Computer Science or any related discipline of advanced Engineering

Certification/License:

• Required: Python, C++, JavaScript
• Preferred: Computer Vision, Azure AI Engineer Associate, NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) Certificate

Foreign Language

• Required: None Required
• Preferred:  Elementary Proficiency

Typical Compensation Range

Benefits

Our Total Rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:

Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.

• Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
• Paid parental and caregiver leaves
• Medical, including virtual care options
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
• Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements
• Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan
• Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc. 
• Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities
• And more!

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

* *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.

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