Parallel Systems is pioneering autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles designed to transform freight transportation by shifting portions of the $900 billion U.S. trucking industry onto rail. Our innovative technology offers cleaner, safer, and more efficient logistics solutions. Join our dynamic team and help shape a smarter, greener future for global freight.
Senior Robotics Engineer – Autonomy & Perception
Parallel Systems is seeking a Senior Robotics Engineer to help design, implement, and integrate autonomy systems into our autonomous rail vehicles. This role focuses on building high-performance perception and robotics software that interfaces with real-world sensors and hardware. You’ll work across the autonomy stack—from sensor integration to deployment—while collaborating closely with software, hardware, and systems teams. This is a hands-on role with opportunities for deep technical ownership and system-level impact.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and integrate robotics software components, including sensor drivers, data processing pipelines, and perception algorithms.
- Collaborate with autonomy, hardware, and infrastructure teams to deploy reliable software on real vehicles.
- Own end-to-end implementation of perception and autonomy features, including calibration, testing, and debugging.
- Contribute to architecture decisions around autonomy software systems, with a focus on robustness and performance.
- Interface with hardware systems (e.g., LiDAR, radar, cameras) and ensure reliable sensor fusion and integration.
- Support vehicle field testing and contribute to fault analysis, performance tuning, and reliability improvements.
What Success Looks Like:
- After 30 Days: You’ve ramped up on Parallel’s autonomy stack and successfully integrated and tested the current perception platform on-vehicle. You’re actively contributing to debugging, calibration, and system reliability during test operations.
- After 60 Days: You’ve developed a technical roadmap for bringing perception development in-house—evaluating gaps, toolchains, and architectural changes needed. You’ve identified opportunities for improved performance, maintainability, and ownership.
- After 90 Days: You’ve contributed to early implementation of an internal perception stack and are helping define the hiring and team structure needed to support it. You’re driving technical decisions to enhance system robustness and long-term scalability.
Basic Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or related fields.
- 3+ years of experience programming in Rust, C++, or C.
- Experience integrating and deploying robotics software on real hardware platforms.
- Professional experience working with AV sensor technologies such as LiDAR, radar, and cameras.
- Understanding of sensor calibration, data fusion, and real-time systems.
- Strong debugging and testing skills in Linux-based development environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with machine learning frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
- Familiarity with embedded systems or safety-critical software design.
- Track record of shipping complex robotics or autonomy software in production environments.
- Hands-on experience with perception, prediction, or planning components of autonomy stacks.
We are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation in accordance with applicable laws. Salary ranges are listed below and reflect the expected range for new hires in this role, based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location. Final compensation may vary and will be determined during the interview process. The target hiring range for this position is listed below.
Parallel Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any discriminatory factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We work to build an inclusive environment in which all people can come to do their best work.
Parallel Systems is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Parallel Systems will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact your recruiter.
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Parallel Systems Los Angeles, California, USA Office
Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90013
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