Job Title: Sr. Software Perception Engineer Job DescriptionThe Sr. Software Perception Engineer designs, implements, and tests advanced perception algorithms for mobile off-road machines, focusing on sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification. In this role, you collaborate closely with engineers and researchers to integrate perception solutions into a broader software stack and hardware platform, ensuring high performance, safety, and reliability. You contribute to the full lifecycle of perception software, from architecture and design through verification, validation, and continuous improvement driven by real-world customer data.Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and test algorithms for sensor fusion, object detection, tracking, and classification to support mobile off-road machines and autonomy features.
- Participate in the design and development of high-quality perception software and algorithms that address customer needs and improve machine safety and productivity.
- Collaborate with application teams to collect and analyze data from robotic and manned platforms, focusing on customer experience and system performance.
- Analyze and annotate perception data for machine learning training, and actively participate in iterative ML training cycles to meet perception performance requirements.
- Document architecture specifications, software designs, verification plans, test cases, operating procedures, and safety procedures in a clear and comprehensive manner.
- Use appropriate debugging, testing, and maintenance tools to ensure perception software quality and to support verification and validation processes.
- Design, write, test, and review autonomy and advanced operator-assist perception software, ensuring adherence to best practices and coding standards.
- Contribute to efforts to develop, integrate, and test complex autonomy systems that meet prioritized requirements and schedule constraints for autonomous machine programs.
- Focus development and integration activities on enhancing machine safety, productivity, and overall system robustness.
- Solve complex issues that span multiple subsystems, working across hardware, software, and data pipelines to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
- Work independently on assigned tasks while actively collaborating within a multidisciplinary team to achieve project goals.
- Use Agile software development methodologies and modern development tools to plan, track, and deliver perception software features and improvements.
Essential SkillsMUST HAVE
- Bachelor AND Masters Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.
- 3-5+ years of experience developing perception systems for robotics, autonomous vehicles, or advanced driver/operator assist systems.
- 2+ years with Machine Learning for Perception (tuning and training models/deep learning)
- Strong understanding of computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning concepts applied to real-world perception problems.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python for developing production-quality perception and autonomy software.
- Experience with ROS or similar autonomous infrastructure software frameworks for robotic systems.
- Hands-on experience working with camera, lidar, and/or radar data for perception and autonomy applications.
- Practical experience using OpenCV for computer vision tasks and TensorFlow or PyTorch for deep learning-based perception models.
- Experience with mobile robotics perception for autonomy or advanced operator assist systems, including computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning techniques.
- Familiarity with lidar, radar, and cameras as perception sensors and their integration into autonomy software stacks.
- Working knowledge of the Agile software development life cycle and its application to perception and autonomy software projects.
NICE TO HAVE
- Experience using modern development tools such as Git, DockSr. er, CMake, and testing frameworks to build, test, and deploy software.
- Ability to design, write, test, and review autonomy and advanced operator-assist perception software in a collaborative environment.
- Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Ability to solve complex technical issues that span multiple subsystems, including software, sensors, and data processing pipelines.
- Experience with Eigen for numerical and linear algebra operations in perception and autonomy algorithms.
- Familiarity with Azure DevOps or Jira for project management, work item tracking, and Agile collaboration.
- Knowledge of standard software development tools such as SonarQube, GoogleTest, Artifactory, and Clang used in mobile robot perception system development.
- Knowledge of cloud compute and storage tools, including AWS EC2, S3, and Batch, for training, deploying, or scaling perception and machine learning workloads.
- Experience with code development tools and continuous integration/continuous delivery practices for perception software.
- Background in artificial intelligence, autonomy, or advanced operator assist systems is highly beneficial.
- Strong documentation skills for architecture, design, test plans, and operational procedures.
- Comfort working with complex autonomy systems and integrating perception modules into larger machine control frameworks.
Work EnvironmentThis role is based on-site in Pittsburgh PA OR Dallas TX with a hybrid schedule available, offering flexibility in where and how you work. You collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering and research teams in a professional environment focused on robotics, autonomy, and advanced perception technologies. The work involves using modern software development tools, cloud platforms, and robotics frameworks to build and test perception systems, with access to both simulated and real-world robotic platforms. The culture emphasizes safety, productivity, innovation, and continuous learning, providing opportunities to work on challenging autonomy problems for mobile off-road machines while maintaining a balanced and supportive work setting. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $50.00 - $90.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 26, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Pittsburgh,PA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
