Sr Director, Software/Algorithm Engineering Robotics/Physical AI

Senior Director, Software & Algorithm Engineering – Robotics / Physical AI

Location: San Jose, California

About UltraSense Systems

UltraSense is building the sensing layer for the next generation of physical AI. Our platform combines ultrasound, mixed-signal electronics, embedded software, algorithms, and system design to enable tactile sensing and near-field intelligence for robotics and smart machines.

We are looking for a senior technical leader to drive software and algorithm development for systems that help machines sense, interpret, and interact with the physical world.

Position Summary

As Senior Director, Software & Algorithm Engineering, you will lead the architecture, development, validation, and deployment of software and algorithms for UltraSense robotics solutions. You will own the roadmap for software and intelligent sensing across tactile sensing, near-field object detection, localization, classification, and scene understanding.

This is not a traditional coding-only role. We are looking for a systems-minded leader who can build and guide high-impact teams using modern AI development practices, including AI-assisted software creation, simulation, automated evaluation, rapid prototyping, and data-driven algorithm development. You will work across sensing, signal processing, embedded software, machine learning, system integration, and productization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead software and algorithm strategy for UltraSense robotics and physical AI solutions. 
• Define architecture and technical direction for sensing, perception, classification, localization, and scene understanding software stacks. 
• Build and lead cross-functional teams spanning algorithms, embedded software, data, systems, and validation. 
• Drive development of signal processing, sensor fusion, perception, and machine learning pipelines for real-world robotic systems. 
• Translate raw sensor data into robust, production-ready software capabilities with measurable system performance. 
• Establish modern AI development workflows, including AI-assisted development tools, simulation environments, automated test frameworks, data pipelines, and continuous evaluation. 
• Lead feasibility studies, proof-of-concept work, and rapid prototyping of new features and capabilities. 
• Work closely with hardware, firmware, systems, and product teams to optimize performance across the full stack. 
• Define performance metrics, validation methods, and qualification criteria for software and algorithms in production environments. 
• Drive software integration, debugging, verification, and field performance improvement from prototype through commercial release. 
• Support customer engagements, technical reviews, and product definition with partners and strategic accounts. 
• Build a culture of technical rigor, rapid iteration, innovation, and strong execution. 

Required Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field. Ph.D. preferred.
• 12 years of experience in software, algorithms, machine learning, signal processing, or perception systems development. 
• 5 years leading technical teams and delivering complex products to market. 
• Strong background in signal processing, data classification, perception algorithms, or machine learning for sensor-based systems. 
• Experience owning end-to-end software development, including requirements, architecture, implementation, integration, validation, and release. 
• Strong understanding of real-world sensor data, unstructured data processing, and system-level algorithm tradeoffs. 
• Experience building software for embedded, edge, or real-time systems. 
• Strong proficiency with Python and C/C ; MATLAB experience is a plus. 
• Experience using modern AI platforms and development tools to accelerate algorithm and software creation, testing, and iteration. 
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills in a fast-paced environment. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in robotics, physical AI, industrial automation, intelligent edge systems, or autonomous platforms. 
• Experience with tactile sensing, ultrasound, imaging, perception, or other advanced sensing technologies is a plus.
• Experience with sensor fusion, scene understanding, object detection, or localization. 
• Experience with simulation environments, synthetic data, automated evaluation frameworks, and model optimization for edge deployment. 
• Startup experience and hands-on technical leadership. 
• Experience in automotive or other high-reliability markets is a plus. 

Why Join UltraSense

This is an opportunity to define how software and algorithms help machines physically understand the world. You will work at the intersection of sensing, AI, software, and robotics to build differentiated systems for the next wave of physical AI.