Principal AI Engineer

We are representing our client in the global technology and engineering space to look for an experienced Principal Physical AI Engineer with strong foundations in Multi-Robot System (MRS) and Physical AI to help build next-generation MRS/Swarm collaboration solutions. You will work on real-time distributed/decentralised robotic planning, coordination, perception,communication, and infrastructure that enables autonomous teams of robots to operate collectively in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain core multi-robot collaboration modules (multi-robot task allocation, distributed data fusion, swarm behaviours, inter-robot comms management etc.).
• Integrate robotics hardware drivers, sensors, and simulation platforms (Gazebo/Ignition, Webots, Isaac Sim, etc.).
• Design and optimize real-time data pipelines for robot-to-robot and robot-to-cloud messaging.
• Contribute to ROS2 nodes, services, actions, and build robust MRS autonomy stacks.
• Develop system tooling for visualization, debugging, logging, and telemetry.
• Prototype in simulation and validate on physical robotic platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional robotics engineers (controls, perception, systems, AI/planning).
• Formulate the conceptual and detailed technical solution for the development of applications to meet customer requirements.
• Provide recommendations on relevant emerging technology in MRS/Swarm to senior management.
• Identifying and leading strategic technical capability development for MRS/Swarm.
• Collaborate on research and development projects to explore new capabilities and applications for MRS/Swarm technology.

Requirements

• Masters/PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Good experience building multi-robot or swarm systems.
• Extensive knowledge Multi-Robot System Architecture like Distributed Autonomous Systems, Multi Agent System and Swarm etc.
• Deep knowledge of decentralised interaction protocols and swarm algorithms like Contract Net Protocol (CNP), Petri nets, Boids algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimisation etc.
• Familiarity with robotics fundamentals: Distributed Data Fusion, SLAM, localization, motion planning, control loops.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++.
• Experienced with Generative AI and/or Agentic AI frameworks.
• Experienced with ROS2, microservices, or real-time systems.
• Understanding of distributed systems or networking (pub/sub, DDS, gRPC, etc.).
• Familiarity with simulation tooling (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, Webots, Unity robotics etc).
• Comfortable with rapid prototyping and research-to-production workflows.
• Strong debugging and system-thinking mindset.
• Able to work independently and in a collaborative applied research environment.
• Curious, open to experimentation, and willing to push boundaries in autonomy.