Roboticist – Vision-Guided Robotics

We are an innovative, Vancouver-based startup at the forefront of robotics, AI, and machine vision technologies. Backed by VC funding and recognized as a 2024 BCTIA Growth Award winner, we are on a mission to redefine the future of AI-driven robotic vision systems.  Apera AI helps manufacturers make their factories more flexible and productive. Robots enhanced with Apera’s software have 4D Vision – the ability to see and handle objects with human-like capability. Challenging applications such as bin picking, sorting, packaging, and assembly are now open to fast, precise, and reliable automation. Apera is led by an experienced team from high-growth companies focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

Apera AI is seeking an Intermediate Roboticist to join our Robotics Engineering team and help advance the deployment and reliability of our vision-guided robotics (VGR) systems across real-world manufacturing environments. 

In this role, you’ll contribute to the design, integration, and testing of robotic applications powered by Apera’s 4D Vision Platform. You’ll own key components of robot programming, mechanical integration, and system testing—working closely with software, vision, and product teams to ensure robust, scalable solutions for customer deployments. 

This is a hands-on role that bridges simulation and reality, requiring both strong technical fundamentals and the practical mindset to make robotics work reliably on the factory floor. 

Employee Value Proposition (EVP) 

Purpose 

You’ll help bring intelligent robotic systems into production by integrating cutting-edge vision software with physical hardware. Your work will ensure that industrial robots powered by Apera Vue are capable of executing complex, high-precision tasks—like bin picking, assembly, and alignment—in real factories. 

Growth 

You’ll deepen your understanding of robotic motion planning, calibration, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), and mechanical integration. You’ll gain end-to-end experience—from simulation and prototyping to full deployment—working alongside experts in computer vision, mechanical design, and robotic systems. 

Motivators 

You’ll take ownership of real deployments, contribute to customer-critical features, and help shape best practices for how Apera solutions are implemented globally. You’ll see your work move from lab to line—and gain the satisfaction of solving problems that matter in production. 

Major Objectives 

1. Lead Development and Optimization of Vision-Guided Robot Programs 
   Design, implement, and refine robot programs (e.g. pick-and-place, path planning) that incorporate Apera Vue's vision outputs. Validate programs in simulation and on physical systems. Contribute to the development of internal reference designs and sample workflows that can be shared with customers to accelerate their own integrations. 
   Tech: ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa, Universal Robots; RAPID, KAREL, or similar robot languages 
   
   
2. Integrate Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems 
   Design and implement EOATs, camera mounts, fixtures, and mechanical interfaces. Collaborate with hardware and mechanical teams to ensure alignment between design intent and real-world constraints. 
   Tools: SolidWorks or equivalent CAD; basic fabrication methods 
   
   
3. Own Lab-Based System Testing and Validation 
   Build and test complete robotic cells in the Apera lab. Validate mechanical tolerances, repeatability, and system responsiveness. Document findings and escalate design improvements where needed. 
   
   
4. Collaborate on Field Deployments and Escalation Response 
   Support the deployment team on pilot lines or customer installations. Help diagnose root causes of failures, propose mechanical or programmatic solutions, and lead implementation. 
   Skills: Triage, root cause analysis, cross-functional communication 

Critical Subtasks 

• Create and maintain calibration procedures for robotic and vision systems
• Analyze cycle times, motion profiles, and edge cases using logs and lab testing
• Support robot cell builds with mechanical adjustments and hands-on problem solving
• Contribute to system-level documentation, deployment guides, and configuration manuals
• Work with application engineers and customer success to define and verify acceptable system behavior
• Participate in internal reviews to improve best practices around EOAT design, mounting strategies, and safety requirements 

Culture and Situation Fit 

You’ll thrive at Apera if: 

• You enjoy building things that work reliably in production, not just theory
• You can switch between CAD, code, and the lab floor as needed
• You care about closing the gap between vision intelligence and physical action
• You’re excited to collaborate across disciplines to deliver end-to-end solutions 

Required Qualifications 

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in robotics, mechatronics, or automation engineering
• Proficient in at least one industrial robot programming language (e.g., RAPID, KAREL, TP programming)
• Proficiency in mechanical design using CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Experience deploying or supporting automation systems in manufacturing environments
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills, especially around robot behavior and integration issues
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities 

Bonus Experience 

• Familiarity with vision-guided robotics, hand-eye calibration, or pose estimation systems
• Experience with field deployment, system commissioning, or customer escalation resolution
• Exposure to bin picking, depalletizing, or random part picking workflows
• Ability to travel to customer or partner sites as needed
• Python scripting or familiarity with APIs used for robot/vision communication 

Why Join Us?

People are our greatest strength. They are friendly, smart, and driven to build amazing products; we tackle challenges as a team, we are close-knit and scrappy. We also offer competitive total compensation, health benefits, and vacation. Our teams are motivated, talented, hardworking, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy making large impact, solving challenging problems rooted in real-world physics using science, imagination, creativity, and persistence.

What do we offer?

1. A chance to make a difference. People are our greatest strength they are friendly, smart, and driven to build amazing products; we tackle challenges as a team, we are close-knit and scrappy. Our teams are motivated, talented, hardworking and have both an intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy making a large impact, solving challenging problems rooted in real-world robotic vision optimization using science, imagination, creativity, and persistence.
   
   
2. Build your skills. Build your career. We don’t just promise opportunities. We back them with personalized development plans, annual learning budgets, regular individual and team upskilling, and time dedicated to innovation. Come for the mission, stay to master it.
   
   
3. Equity That Empowers: A Rare Opportunity to Own What You Help Build. At Apera AI, equity isn’t just a benefit—it’s a belief system grounded in fairness, unity, and shared success. Every Aperian receives a meaningful ownership stake from day one, because those creating value should share in the rewards. While traditional companies reserve equity for a privileged few, we extend it to all employees. We’ve already gained considerable traction in transforming how manufacturers use AI and robotics. Join a mission-driven team where your ideas matter, your work shapes industries, and your ownership grows with every win. This is your invitation to be part of something rare: a company that shares both purpose and upside.
   
   
4. Straightforward compensation. At Apera AI, we believe that transparency and fairness are key to building a thriving team. For this Machine Learning Engineer role, we offer a competitive base salary range of $100,000 to $130,000 CAD per year.

This range reflects the base salary for a highly qualified candidate. The final offer will depend on a range of factors including your unique skills, experience, contributions to team diversity, and the value you bring to our vision of transforming industrial automation with AI-powered vision systems.