Machine Learning for Robotics

Description

JR-202607217

Job Title: Staff Researcher – Machine Learning for Robotics

Role Overview

General Motors is seeking a Staff Researcher in Machine Learning for Robotics to drive the development and deployment of advanced learning methods for intelligent robotic systems in manufacturing. This role requires deep technical expertise in machine learning combined with a proven ability to apply these methods to complex, real-world robotic challenges, enabling next-generation automation and flexible production systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and application of advanced machine learning techniques for robotic systems, including:
  • Reinforcement learning (RL)
  • Imitation learning and learning from demonstration
  • Deep learning methods for perception, planning, and control
• Apply learning-based approaches to challenging robotic domains, including:
  • Grasping and dexterous manipulation
  • Mobile manipulation and coordinated motion
  • Contact-rich assembly and force-sensitive operations
• Design, implement, and validate machine learning solutions on physical robotic platforms, from concept to production.
• Translate research innovations into scalable, production-ready capabilities for manufacturing environments
• Define technical direction and research roadmaps for learning-based robotics within GM
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers, elevating the overall team capability in AI-driven robotics
• Contribute to GM’s technical leadership through intellectual property, publications, and external technical engagement

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Science, or a closely related field from a leading university, or a MS with 3+ years of experience
• Strong academic and applied background in machine learning, with demonstrated experience training policies for grasping, manipulation, contact-rich assembly, or other robotic skills.
• Strong programming and system development skills (Python, C++, PyTorch/TensorFlow)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with:
• Dexterous and multi-contact manipulation
• Mobile manipulation in dynamic or unstructured environments
• Learning-based control for contact-rich assembly
• Simulation-to-real transfer and data-efficient learning
• Foundation-model-enabled robotics, including vision-language-action models, transformer-based control architectures, world models, and emerging generative AI methods for robot planning and execution
• Experience in industrial or automotive manufacturing environments
• Publication record in leading conferences (e.g., ICRA, RSS, CoRL, NeurIPS) and/or strong patent portfolio
• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and influence cross-functional teams

Staff-Level Expectations

• Demonstrated experience in project leadership, taking project(s) from initiation through implementation.
• Acts as a subject matter expert in machine learning for robotics across GM
• Drives the application of AI to high-impact manufacturing problems
• Balances cutting-edge research with robustness, safety, and scalability requirements for production deployment

Impact

This role will help shape the future of intelligent automation at GM by enabling robotic systems capable of learning, adapting, and performing complex manipulation and assembly tasks in real-world production environments—unlocking new levels of flexibility, efficiency, and capability in manufacturing.

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

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Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

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We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

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