Applied Scientist, PRG (Personal Robotics Group)

Description

Join the Personal Robotics Group at Amazon, where you'll help pioneer intelligent robotic products that deliver meaningful customer experiences. As an Applied Scientist focused on Robot Navigation, you'll research and develop advanced navigation systems that enable robots to move reliably and safely through complex, dynamic environments. You'll work across a broad spectrum of navigation approaches—from classical methods to learning-based techniques and foundation models—to build robust solutions for autonomous robot navigation.
In this role, you'll evaluate, adapt, and develop navigation methods that bridge the gap between state-of-the-art research and real-world deployment. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated navigation capabilities that enable meaningful robot autonomy.


Key job responsibilities
Develop and implement robust navigation systems that enable reliable autonomous operation in complex, dynamic indoor environments with static and dynamic obstacles
Build simulation-based and on-device evaluation frameworks with comprehensive benchmarks and metrics for systematic comparison of navigation methods
Conduct sim-to-real transfer experiments, analyzing performance gaps and developing techniques to ensure reliable real-world navigation performance
Collaborate with perception, manipulation, and other teams to ensure seamless integration of navigation capabilities into the full robot system
Stay current with the latest advances in robot navigation, spatial reasoning, and related fields, and apply relevant findings to improve system performance

About the team
The Personal Robotics Group is pioneering intelligent robotic products that deliver meaningful customer experiences. We're building the next generation of robotic systems that will redefine how customers interact with technology. Our work spans the full spectrum from advanced hardware design to sophisticated software and control systems, combining mechanical innovation, software engineering, dynamic systems modeling, and intelligent algorithms to create robots that are not just functional, but delightful. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of personal robotics working with world-class teams pushing the boundaries of what's possible in robotic manipulation, locomotion, and human-robot interaction.

Join us if you're passionate about creating the future of personal robotics, solving complex challenges at the intersection of hardware and software, and seeing your innovations deliver transformative customer experiences.

Basic Qualifications

- PhD, or Master's degree and 4 years of CS, CE, ML or related field experience
- Experience with programming languages such as Python, Java, C
- Experience building machine learning models or developing algorithms for business application
- Experience in patents or publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals
- Experience applying theoretical models in an applied environment
- Experience developing and implementing deep learning models
- Track record of solving complex technical problems

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with sim-to-real transfer for navigation systems
- Familiarity with visual navigation, semantic navigation, or foundation models applied to robot navigation
- Experience evaluating and benchmarking multiple navigation approaches (classical, learning-based, foundation model-based)
- Publication record at Robotics/ML/AI conferences (e.g., RSS, CoRL, ICRA, IROS, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR)
- 1 years of industry or academic research experience in robot navigation, motion planning, or autonomous systems
- Experience spanning classical robot navigation (e.g., global/local path planning, MPC/trajectory optimization) and modern learning-based navigation techniques
- Experience with simulation environments for robotics (Isaac Sim, Gazebo, or similar)

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.