AI Robotics Lead

At Janicki Industries, we turn complex ideas into real-world solutions through advanced engineering and manufacturing. Our teams design and build innovative structures, tooling, and systems that support industries including aerospace, space, defense, marine, and architecture.

Across every role, from engineers and technicians to operations and support teams, our people help solve challenging problems, push the limits of design and manufacturing, and create solutions that make a lasting impact.

We are looking for an AI Robotics Lead for our growing team.

This position is located in Bellingham, Washington State.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Lead a new, high-impact Robotics & AI team chartered with deploying next-generation intelligent automation. You will set the technical direction for AI-enhanced robotic systems (manipulators, mobile platforms, cobots) that perform manufacturing tasks with increasing levels of autonomy, while building and developing the team that delivers them.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll manage and mentor a team of AI robotics engineers, own the team’s project roadmap, and stay close to the technical work: architecting solutions, reviewing designs and code, and getting hands-on on the floor when it counts. You’ll partner closely with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineering leadership in a fast-moving production environment where prototypes go live on the shop floor in days or weeks not months.

The following essential job functions are performed as an AI Robotics Lead:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of AI robotics engineers, including hiring, goal setting, performance management, and career development
• Define and own the team’s technical roadmap, balancing rapid prototyping with scalable, production-ready solutions
• Prioritize and manage a portfolio of automation projects in partnership with manufacturing, engineering, and operations stakeholders
• Set technical standards and architecture for perception systems (2D/3D vision, point clouds, force/torque), AI model pipelines, and robot integration
• Guide the training, deployment, and continuous improvement of object-detection, segmentation, pose estimation, and anomaly-detection models in real manufacturing settings
• Direct the application of reinforcement learning and other advanced techniques to improve robot dexterity, path planning, and error recovery
• Oversee on-edge AI development on NVIDIA Jetson platforms (Orin, Xavier, etc.) and integration of industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots, etc.) with vision and AI pipelines
• Establish software engineering best practices across the team, including code review, Git workflows, containerization with Docker, and CI/CD
• Contribute hands-on to architecture, prototyping, and troubleshooting of complex technical challenges
• Drive the transition of validated solutions from prototype to sustained operations, including documentation, support models, and handoff
• Communicate project status, risks, and results to leadership and cross-functional partners
• Evaluate emerging AI and robotics technologies, tools, and vendors for fit with Janicki’s manufacturing needs
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• This position may require the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). Janicki will assist with gaining this access once employed. Special Access Program or other Government Access Requirements are mandatory for this position and requires candidate agreement to enter a Continuous Evaluation program.
• Due to our ITAR and EAR regulations, applicants must be a US Citizen or of Legal Permanent Resident Status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b (a) (3).

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience spanning robotics and AI, including 3+ years leading engineering teams or technical programs required
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or closely related field from an ABET-accredited, competitive university
• MS or PhD in Robotics, AI, or related field preferred
• Experience in aerospace or similarly regulated manufacturing preferred
• Experience building a new team or function from the ground up preferred
• Previous work with Isaac Sim, MoveIt, or other advanced robotics frameworks preferred
• Demonstrated experience hiring, managing, and developing high-performing engineering teams
• Deep hands-on experience with industrial robot programming, integration, and deployment
• Proven track record leading the delivery of applied AI/ML solutions (object detection, model training/re-training loops, reinforcement learning, etc.) in real-world environments
• Strong background in robot perception (cameras, LiDAR, structured light, force sensing)
• Extensive NVIDIA Jetson development experience (Jetpack, TensorRT, DeepStream, Isaac ROS, etc.)
• Expert-level Python, common AI ecosystems (PyTorch/TensorFlow, OpenCV, PCL, ROS/ROS2), and modern dev-ops tooling (Git, Docker, CI/CD)
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or closely related field from an ABET-accredited, competitive university
• Ability to define technical strategy, manage competing priorities, and deliver projects on schedule
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and leadership
• Thrives in cross-disciplinary hardware + software environments
• Bias for action, fast pace, and getting results through others

Detailed Wage Information

Wage range for this role is between $120,000 - $170,000, plus a discretionary bonus, 401(k) matching, vacation, and health benefits. Employees can also receive additional pay for off-shifts, off-site work, and access pay. The range provided is Janicki’s estimate of the base compensation for this role. Actual amount offered will be based on job-related and non-discriminatory factors such as experience, location, education, training, skills, and abilities

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with employer contribution
• Disability insurance as well as Life/AD&D insurance
• HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer contribution and FSA (Flexible Savings Account)
• 401k with employer matching
• Paid time off and paid holidays (including two floating holidays)
• Education reimbursement program
• Several shift options
• Premium pay for off-shifts
• Premium pay for security clearance if applicable

Not sure that you’ll be the perfect fit for this role? You should still apply! We’ll review your application for other opportunities. We are always on the lookout for talented people!

By applying for this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified, you may be contacted for this and future openings.

Janicki Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Janicki Industries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, veteran/military service status, or any other legally protected status. Janicki is proud to be a military friendly employer.

Applicants or employees wishing to view a copy of Janicki Industries’ Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (360) 404-1997.

As a federal government contractor and a recipient of federal funding, Janicki is required to abide by federal drug testing requirements (including preemployment drug testing for cannabis). Additionally, because of Janicki’s work on aerospace products and the high volume of safety sensitive positions, Janicki takes the safety of its employees very seriously and requires that employees pass a preemployment drug test prior to starting employment.