Applied Science Manager, Safe Autonomy, SAF Lab

We are seeking an Applied Science Manager to join the SAF this role you will lead a team of world-class applied scientists engineers post-docs and interns developing the next generation of safe autonomy on highly dynamic robotic systems. You will drive technical vision research strategy and ensure your teams innovations translate into production systems that operate at Amazon scale. You will interface with top academic researchers at the forefront of safe autonomy and interdisciplinary teams across Amazon working on autonomous mobile robots mobile manipulators and dynamically stable robots. You will bridge academic research with real-world deployable safety layers that enable robots to safely operate around humans.

Key job responsibilities
Manage a team of scientists and engineers developing a universal safety layer for robotic systems with a focus on the next generation of robots

Work with leadership to design and execute multi-year research roadmaps for the development of safe autonomy that spans all types of current and emerging robotic platforms

Lead Scientists Engineers post-docs and interns to realize research and development goals and provide evidence of these results in a variety of formats

Drive integration of control barrier functions with planning perception and learning while maintaining guarantees of safe high-performance robot behavior

Collaborate with product teams and science leaders to set a science roadmap (with eventual impact on real robots).

Publish research findings at top-tier conferences and contribute to the broader robotics community

Build relationships with academic and industry partners to stay at the forefront of safe autonomy


A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location the number of regularly scheduled hours you work length of employment and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular full-time employees include:

1. Medical Dental and Vision Coverage
2. Maternity and Parental Leave Options
3. Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 401(k) Plan

If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly wed still love to hear from you! At Amazon we value people with unique backgrounds experiences and skillsets. If youre passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale please apply!

About the team
Work with the inventor of control barrier functions in the Safe Autonomy Frontiers (SAF) Lab. The first industry research lab in safe autonomy developing a universal safety layer for the next generation of robotic systems: mobile robots manipulators mobile manipulators and future platforms with dynamic stability. You will push the frontiers of performant safety for highly dynamic robots: CBF theory integrated with perception and learning evaluated on next-generation robots. Your work will underpin robots operating alongside people at Amazons unprecedented scale.

- PhD in Engineering Technology Science Operations Research Robotics Mathematics or related fields
- Experience in demonstrating research to complex hardware platforms or product development in robotics autonomous systems or related fields
- Experience managing developing and leading teams
- Track record of research that has the potential to translate to production systems
- Track record of publications in top-tier conferences in robotics and control (RSS ICRAIROS CoRL NeurIPS ICML TRO CDC ACC RAL CSL) or patents in robotics and autonomy
- Deep expertise and technical understanding of robotics concepts for sensing perception planning and control.
- Deep understanding of the formal foundations and experimental deployment of control barrier functions and safety filters on highly dynamic robots of different morphologies
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and comfort working at the boundary between research and commercial robotics
- Experience coordinating teams and stakeholders across geographies
- Experience deploying software on diverse robot embodiments

- Experience with perception and learning as it integrates into robotic systems.
- Experience with optimization and control in robotics.
- Familiarity with robotics simulation environments (e.g. Isaac Sim MuJoCo Drake OMPL)

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 Companys 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 for more information. If the country/region youre applying in isnt 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 CA PASADENA - 183800.00 - 248700.00 USD annually