Research Engineer - Perception and Machine Learning

We are seeking Research Engineers to serve as technical pillars within the Surreal Team. In this role, you will move beyond algorithm implementation to architecting the systems that power always-on contextual AI. This position sits at the intersection of Computer Vision, Embodied AI, and Multimodal LLMs. You will drive the engineering efforts to bring research breakthroughs from high-compute clusters to power-constrained, egocentric devices like smart glasses and robotic platforms.

Research Engineer - Perception and Machine Learning Responsibilities:

• Algorithm & System Implementation: Translate cutting-edge research in Vision-Language Models (VLMs), Reinforcement Learning, and Multimodal LLMs into performant, real-world applications on smart glasses and robotic platforms
• End-to-End Ownership: Own the full lifecycle of feature development, from initial prototyping and data collection to deployment and system integration
• Experimental Rigor: Design and lead large-scale ablation studies
• develop robust benchmarking suites to evaluate and iterate on next-gen contextual AI
• Cross-Functional Influence: Partner with Hardware Engineers to influence sensor/silicon design and collaborate with Researchers and Product Managers to define the future of human-AI interaction
• Architecture & Roadmap: When hired at a staff level, lead the design and execution of engineering roadmaps, making critical architectural decisions to ensure low-latency, high-accuracy inference on power-constrained "always-on" edge devices
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: When hired at a staff level, provide technical guidance and mentorship to peers and engineers, setting the bar for engineering and software maintainability
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
• Experience: 3-8 years of professional experience in AI research engineering, software development, or a related field. (Candidate leveling will be determined based on technical depth, scope of previous impact, and leadership experience)
• Core Technical Skills: In-depth experience programming in C and Python, with a focus on developing high-performance, maintainable codebases
• Framework Mastery: Extensive experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow, including model optimization (e.g., quantization, distillation, or custom kernel development)
• Deployment Experience: Proven history of deploying machine learning models into production environments or integrated hardware-software systems
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree: Ph.D. or M.S. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Robotics
• Domain Expertise: Specialized experience in one or more: Egocentric Perception, Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, SLAM, or Sim-to-Real transfer
• Large-Scale Data: Experience architecting data pipelines for high-dimensionality, multi-modal datasets
• Publication Record: Contributions to the research community through publications at market leading venues (CVPR, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICRA, RSS) or significant patent filings
• Communication: Ability to communicate complex technical trade-offs to both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders
  
  

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.

$88.46/hour to $257,000/year bonus equity benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.