Senior Deep Learning Engineer (Perception)

The Job: We are seeking an exceptional and highly motivated Deep Learning Engineer to join our fast-moving and innovative team. In this role, you will leverage your expertise to research, develop, and deploy cutting-edge perception algorithms for our next-generation autonomous systems. You will play a pivotal part in building the "eyes" of our technology, enabling it to robustly perceive and understand the surrounding world. This is a hands-on, systems-level role where you will bridge fundamental research and real-world deployment, tackling complex challenges. As a key early member of our technical team, you will have significant ownership and the opportunity to directly shape our product's perception capabilities. What You'll Do: - Algorithm development: Research, design, and implement advanced deep learning algorithms for core perception tasks, such as 2D/3D object detection, semantic segmentation, tracking, and classification. - Multimodal sensor fusion: Develop and optimize algorithms to fuse data from multiple sensor modalities, including cameras, LiDAR, and radar, to build a robust and comprehensive perception system. - Data-centric development: Take a rigorous, data-driven approach to model development. This includes designing training and validation pipelines, curating large-scale datasets, and prioritizing data collection and labeling efforts. - System integration: Work cross-functionally with embedded, hardware, and systems engineers to seamlessly integrate perception software into the larger autonomous stack. - Performance analysis and debugging: Analyze logged field data to identify performance bottlenecks and edge cases, and rapidly iterate on solutions to improve model accuracy and robustness in challenging real-world conditions. - Stay current on research: Keep abreast of the latest academic research and industry trends in deep learning and computer vision to propose and implement innovative solutions. What You Bring: - EITHER PhD & 2+ years work experience: PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field AND 2+ years of hands-on industry experience developing and deploying deep learning models for perception tasks, ideally in a fast-paced startup environment. - OR Masters & 5-8+ years work experience: Masters in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field AND 5-8+ years of hands-on industry experience developing and deploying deep learning models for perception tasks, ideally in a fast-paced startup environment. - Extensive experience with at least one deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, Tensorflow, Jax) - Expert proficiency in Python; software engineering skills in C++ is a significant plus. - Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: 3D perception, multi-modal sensor fusion, BEV (Bird's Eye View) models, or end-to-end learning - Excellent problem-solving skills, with a pragmatic and outcome-oriented approach. - High level of ownership and comfort operating independently within an ambiguous, quickly evolving startup environment. - Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across technical specialties. Bonus Points For: - Prior experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or other safety-critical systems. - Experience with specific optimization tools like TensorRT. What We Offer: - Competitive Salary – Reflective of your skills and experience - Equity Compensation – Be a part-owner in the company's future - Comprehensive Health Coverage – Including medical, dental, and vision plans - Health Savings Account (HSA) – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses - Unlimited PTO – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays About Us Seneca is eliminating the $1 trillion threat of wildfire across 500 million acres with AI-powered autonomous drone systems. Imagine a world where firefighters can respond to a blaze in under 6 minutes using autonomous suppression technology. That's the wo