Fauna Robotics is seeking a Principal Applied Scientist to lead the development of evaluation frameworks and data collection protocols that measure, stress-test, and improve robot behavior across real-world tasks.
Operating at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and human-in-the-loop systems, this role owns the infrastructure and methodologies that connect teleoperation, evaluation, and learning - shaping how policies are validated and how high-quality datasets are generated to accelerate system performance.
Key job responsibilities
What you'll do:
- Build and own evaluation frameworks that measure and stress-test robot behavior across real-world tasks
- Design data collection protocols that generate high-quality datasets to accelerate system performance
- Connect teleoperation, evaluation, and learning systems into cohesive, measurable infrastructure
- Translate ambiguous capability goals into actionable, measurable evaluation systems
What we're looking for:
- A highly experimental, systems-oriented scientist comfortable working across software, robotics, and data pipelines
- Deep expertise in machine learning and robotics, with a track record of building evaluation methodologies
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
-5+ years of hands-on work in predictive modeling and analysis experience
-PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field
-Experience working in predictive modeling and analysis
-Experience distilling informal customer requirements into problem definitions, dealing with ambiguity and competing objectives
-Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
-Experience with leading experienced scientists as well as having a record of developing junior members from academia or industry to a career track in a business environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
-10+ years of relevant work in industry or academia experience
-Knowledge of problem solving, algorithm design and complexity analysis
-Experience creating novel algorithms and advancing the state of the art
-Have peer-reviewed scientific contributions in premier journals and conferences
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 https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, Sunnyvale - 228,700.00 - 309,400.00 USD annually