Director, Mobile Robot Technology

Description

Position:             Director, Mobile Robot Technology
Location:            Kitchener, Ontario
Job Type:            Full-Time Permanent
Experience:        510+ Years of Relevant Experience
Education:         Graduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent

About OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation

OTTO Motors is a global leader in autonomous technology for material handling inside manufacturing and warehouse facilities. With over five million hours of production experience, OTTO autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are trusted in mission-critical operations for some of the world’s most recognized brands. OTTO Motors was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Robotics Companies of 2023. For more information, visit ottomotors.com. 

OTTO was acquired by Rockwell Automation in 2023.  Rockwell is a global industrial automation and digital transformation technology leader focused on helping the world’s manufacturers be more productive, sustainable, and agile. With more than 28,000 employees who make the world better every day, we know we have something special. Behind our customers – amazing companies that help feed the world, provide life-saving medicine on a global scale, and focus on clean water and green mobility – our people are energized problem solvers that take pride in how the work we do changes the world for the better.    

About the job: 

As the Director of Technology, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of autonomous mobile robotics. We’ve been conducting leading edge research for years, and we’re now looking to conduct longer-term research and build deeper relationships with the academic community. You will be responsible for bringing our team and technology to the next level. You will also be working with your peers in other Rockwell business units to explore options for how the world’s largest pure-play industrial company can change the face of robotics. Topics you will be involved in include navigation, planning, perception, mapping, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and generative AI, at both the single- and multi-robot level. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of autonomous mobile robotics and drive innovation in a fast-growing industry. If you have a passion for technology, a track record of leadership, and a desire to make an impact, we encourage you to apply. 

Your primary responsibilities will be:  

• Lead definition and manage execution of mobile robot R&D programs 
• Direct recruiting and management of specific R&D-focused team members as well as technical supervision and mentorship of other key R&D contributors 
• Fostering relationships with academic institutions, including technology transfer, dataset development and sharing, and joint publications 
• Ensuring that OTTO Motors is well represented as a technology leader in the space, including patents, publications, open-source contributions, and public presentations 
• Understanding and communicating of any and all technologies which may be applicable to autonomous mobile robotics, including past work and future trends 
• Personal prototyping and exploration of key topics of interest 

Required Experience/Skills: 

• Graduate degree (PhD preferred) in Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Physics, Mathematics, or equivalent 
• Experience successfully managing research programs with a variety of risk levels, TRL levels, timelines, and budgets 
• Demonstrated experience in leading ‘failed’ research programs 
• Demonstrated experience in leading ‘successful’ research programs 
• Broad familiarity with navigation, planning, perception, mapping, deep learning, reinforcement learning, generative AI, and similar topics as applicable to autonomous robots 
• Broad familiarity with key hardware technologies and modalities covering sensing, computation, communication, and actuation 
• Specific familiarity with one or more of the above fields, with multiple papers published in notable journals or conferences 
• Familiarity with software development and testing methodologies and tools 
• Experience presenting and representing your work or organization in public 
• Hands-on experience with developing, deploying, and maintaining software for  robots deployed into real world environments 
• Proficient with C++ and Python, and ideally more (Lua, Rust, etc) 
• Reasonable experience with key libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Ceres, or OMPL 
• Demonstrated experience with using ROS1, ROS 2, Gazebo, CUDA, and ideally more frameworks 
• Proficient with experimental analysis and benchmarking 

At OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation, we are committed to building and supporting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We hire the best talent regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, age, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. If you require special accommodation to complete any portion of the application or interview process, please contact .