Head of Foundational Models AI

Are you passionate about leading the frontier in AI/ML technologies, specifically in transforming the future of robotics with foundation models?

We believe foundation models have the power to transform the future of robotics in every dimension from understanding human language and developing action plans, to perceiving and inventorying the world through multi-modal vision models, and ultimately to solving fundamental open problems in controls such as bimanual manipulation.  

Ideal candidates are well-versed in the latest techniques in scaling transformer architectures, incorporating novel data into multi-modal models, applying diffusion modeling techniques to learning new tasks, and capable of leading scientists and engineers in this discipline.  

As the Head of Foundational Models AI, you will set the company strategy for developing and partnering with research labs and other companies to ensure that Cobot’s robots leverage state of the art foundation models wherever possible.  You will be expected to be a trusted peer with top AI/ML teams and leaders at peer companies, attending conferences, private events, academic events and investor events to ensure Cobot is well-represented in the community as a peer.  You will propose and own our strategy for sponsoring academic research and partnering with other promising AI teams and initiatives in the space.  You will help to devise how we publish or otherwise share our work in this space, balancing speed of innovation and applicability to our robot, with the desire to help move the field forward.  You will also devise our strategy for how data we collect in our operations can be an asset to training these types of models.  

You will be set up with space and robots.  You will hire and partner with a small team of world-class ML scientists and engineers who will work in close collaboration to both adopt and adapt the state of the art, while pushing the boundaries of what is possible with these models.  

Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction. We are working to realize a world where robots are a trusted extension of your surroundings. They work, adapt, and react around you. Not the other way around.

This role is open to a local leader in Santa Clara or a remote leader in Seattle, Boston, Boulder or Pittsburgh. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and execute the company's strategic direction for leveraging state-of-the-art foundation models in robotics.
• Establish strong partnerships with research labs, tech companies, and AI/ML communities to advance our robotics technologies.
• Lead and mentor a team of ML scientists and engineers in adopting and adapting cutting-edge AI models.
• Oversee collaborations with academic institutions and AI initiatives, including sponsorship of research projects.
• Balance innovation in robotics with contributions to the broader AI field through publications and community engagement.
• Develop strategies for utilizing operational data to enhance model training and performance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, AI, Robotics, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in AI/ML fields, with a focus on foundation models and transformer architectures.
• Demonstrated leadership in AI/ML projects with successful implementation of multi-modal and diffusion models.
• Strong foundation in Python, machine learning libraries, and software development practices.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to represent the company in various AI/ML communities.
• Willingness to travel for conferences, workshops, and partnership development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, or a closely related field.
• Extensive experience in developing and scaling transformer models and multi-modal AI systems.
• Proven track record of innovative contributions to the field of AI/ML, with publications in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms and large-scale data processing.
• Knowledge in robotics software stacks and simulation environments.
• Familiarity with 3D vision and bimanual manipulation challenges in robotics.

The base salary range for this position is $220,000- $260,000 plus equity and comprehensive benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and experience level. The range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across the possible locations listed in the job description. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Collaborative Robotics is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Collaborative Robotics is an equal opportunity employer and does 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 are 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 your recruiter know.

To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.