Perception Engineering Manager

About Avidbots:

Avidbots is a pioneering leader in the field of robotics, dedicated to developing cutting-edge autonomous cleaning solutions for commercial and industrial environments. Our mission is to revolutionize the way cleaning and maintenance tasks are performed by introducing innovative, efficient, and sustainable robotic technologies. Avidbots is committed to delivering intelligent and autonomous robotic solutions that not only enhance operational efficiency but also promote a cleaner and healthier world.

Our groundbreaking autonomous cleaning robots, specifically the Neo 2 and Kas, are redefining the cleaning industry by offering state-of-the-art technology, advanced navigation, and data-driven insights to businesses across the globe. These robots are designed to perform tasks such as scrubbing and sanitization, and maintain cleanliness in a wide range of industries, including airports, shopping malls, warehouses, retail, and more.

Headquartered in Kitchener, ON, Canada, we are an employee-focused organization that has been certified a Great Place to Work consecutively for the last 5 years and one of Deloitte's Fast 500 (2021).

About this role:

Avidbots is looking for a Perception Engineering Manager to lead an innovative team of software developers to deliver superior autonomy features for our robots. The Perception team at Avidbots builds software that enables our robots to perceive, understand and interact safely with their environment. Our ideal candidate has a proven track record in production-scale software development and experience in the use of sensor data for perception and computer vision applications. You are a self-driven leader who models a strong commitment to excellence and has a passion for guiding and empowering high performing teams.

Reporting to Senior Director, Robot Autonomy, you will work closely with cross-functional teams in R&D to develop state-of-the-art perception software and systems for our fleet of autonomous robots. This role is critical in enabling our next generation products and supporting our mission to revolutionize the cleaning industry with cutting-edge robotic solutions.

This is a hybrid role based out of our Kitchener office several days per week

How you will make a difference:

• Lead and develop the perception engineering team, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure quality of software deliverables, alignment of team efforts with business objectives, and timely resolution of technical issues.
• Implement best practices in software development, including coding standards, requirements management and test coverage.
• Own team processes and drive continuous improvement – establish metrics and KPIs on team performance, lead retrospectives and improve upon existing processes.
• Responsible for professional growth and developing the capability profiles of technical staff in the team.
• Responsible for hiring and projecting resource needs based on program requirements.
• Lead from the front by spending at least 25% of time helping your team with software development and project implementation.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• BSc. or graduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent
• 5-8 years of experience with software development in a professional setting, with at least 3 years of people leadership experience
• Proven experience with the entire software product lifecycle – bringing software solutions to market from ideation to deployment
• Experience with spearheading process implementation in software development
• Background in perception and computer vision (sensor, calibration, obstacle detection and/or localization)
• Solid software development skills (modern C++ and Python preferred)
• Working knowledge of Linux OS (command line, basic scripting)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to different levels of stakeholders effectively and efficiently
• Experience with robotics or a strong interest in the field
• Enjoys working in small teams with big dreams
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Practical experience deploying applications with perception sensors (3D cameras, LiDARs or similar)
• Experience with Robot Operating System (ROS)
• Experience managing remote teams
• Experience working in a matrix environment
• Successfully complete pre-employment onboarding requirements that may include criminal/civil background checks
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in Canada for any employer
  
  

Avidbots is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce. As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. We are a diverse Canadian company founded by international students, and we are proud of the strengths our diversity brings. We hold our executives to the same standards as all of our employees, and we believe work should be a safe space for all. Avidbots has an absolutely zero tolerance policy for discrimination or hate against members of any race, religion or sexual orientation. We also offer a professional working environment and culture and believe that work / life balance is critical to ensure the happiness/well-being of our people.

Upon request, Avidbots will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.