Machine Learning for Robotics

Job Description

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Job Title: Staff Researcher Machine Learning for Robotics

Role Overview

General Motors is seeking a Staff Researcher in Machine Learning for Robotics to drive the development and deployment of advanced learning methods for intelligent robotic systems in manufacturing. This role requires deep technical expertise in machine learning combined with a proven ability to apply these methods to complex real-world robotic challenges enabling next-generation automation and flexible production systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and application of advanced machine learning techniques for robotic systems including:
  • Reinforcement learning (RL)
  • Imitation learning and learning from demonstration
  • Deep learning methods for perception planning and control
• Apply learning-based approaches to challenging robotic domains including:
  • Grasping and dexterous manipulation
  • Mobile manipulation and coordinated motion
  • Contact-rich assembly and force-sensitive operations
• Design implement and validate machine learning solutions on physical robotic platforms from concept to production.
• Translate research innovations into scalable production-ready capabilities for manufacturing environments
• Define technical direction and research roadmaps for learning-based robotics within GM
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers elevating the overall team capability in AI-driven robotics
• Contribute to GMs technical leadership through intellectual property publications and external technical engagement

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Machine Learning Robotics Computer Science or a closely related field from a leading university or a MS with 3 years of experience
• Strong academic and applied background in machine learning with demonstrated experience training policies for grasping manipulation contact-rich assembly or other robotic skills.
• Strong programming and system development skills (Python C PyTorch/TensorFlow)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with:
• Dexterous and multi-contact manipulation
• Mobile manipulation in dynamic or unstructured environments
• Learning-based control for contact-rich assembly
• Simulation-to-real transfer and data-efficient learning
• Foundation-model-enabled robotics including vision-language-action models transformer-based control architectures world models and emerging generative AI methods for robot planning and execution
• Experience in industrial or automotive manufacturing environments
• Publication record in leading conferences (e.g. ICRA RSS CoRL NeurIPS) and/or strong patent portfolio
• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and influence cross-functional teams

Staff-Level Expectations

• Demonstrated experience in project leadership taking project(s) from initiation through implementation.
• Acts as a subject matter expert in machine learning for robotics across GM
• Drives the application of AI to high-impact manufacturing problems
• Balances cutting-edge research with robustness safety and scalability requirements for production deployment

Impact

This role will help shape the future of intelligent automation at GM by enabling robotic systems capable of learning adapting and performing complex manipulation and assembly tasks in real-world production environmentsunlocking new levels of flexibility efficiency and capability in manufacturing.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day individually and collectively to drive meaningful change through our words our deeds and our culture. Every day we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

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Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex race color national origin citizenship status religion age disability pregnancy or maternity status sexual orientation gender identity status as a veteran or protected veteran or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required where applicable to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

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