Research Scientist II

We are seeking Research Scientists to join our team. In this role, you will develop and deploy the science of safe autonomy on highly dynamic robots, advancing the frontier through both foundational research Basic qualifications: - PhD or equivalent research experience - Master’s degree and 3+ years of applied science, research, or robotics engineering experience — OR a PhD — in computer science, robotics, control, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. - Hands-on experience developing and deploying control algorithms and/or learning policies on physical robotic hardware in a research or production setting (not simulation-only). - Working knowledge of safety-critical control, including control barrier functions and safety filters. - Proficiency in C++ and Python, with a track record of implementing control algorithms and/or learning policies in real systems. - Experience with physics simulators for robotics (e.g., Isaac Gym/Sim, MuJoCo, PyBullet). - Demonstrated technical impact through shipped systems, patents, or publications at top-tier venues (e.g., CDC, ACC, L-CSS, ICRA, IROS, RSS, RA-L, Automatica, TAC, TRO). Preferred: - Experience in professional software development, including production code quality, testing, and deployment practices. - Experience taking robotics or autonomy research from prototype to deployed product, including collaboration with hardware, product, and operations teams. - Understanding of autonomous systems, reduced-order models, layered control architectures, nonlinear control, reachability methods, legged locomotion, and whole-body control. - Knowledge of learning-based approaches to robotics (e.g., reinforcement learning, diffusion, VLAs, VLMs, world models). - Exposure learning-based approaches for CBF synthesis (e.g., neural CBFs, data-driven barrier functions) and the integration of CBFs into learning (e.g., CBF-RL). - Understanding of control systems engineering, with a focus on layered architecture in robotic systems (high-level planning, mid-level trajectory generation, low-level feedback control). - Experience with perception on robotic systems (e.g., depth-camera and LiDAR-based sensing, sensor fusion, semantic tagging), together with mapping and navigation. - Familiarity with Hamilton-Jacobi reachability analysis and its relationship to CBF-based approaches. - Knowledge of safety-constrained RL (e.g., constrained MDPs, Lagrangian methods, shielding, CBF-based policy filtering). - Experience with model-based control (MPC, whole-body QP controllers, operational space control) and/or simulation-based predictive control (MPPI). - Experience with hierarchical RL, skill composition, distillation, and multi-task policy architectures for locomotion. - Familiarity with real-time deployment constraints (latency budgets, onboard compute limitations, control-loop frequencies). - Experience building or contributing to large-scale RL training infrastructure (distributed training, GPU clusters). - Strong communication skills and ability to work across disciplinary boundaries (ML, controls, mechanical engineering). Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner. The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits . USA, CA, Pasadena - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually