Robotics Engineer / Scientist

About us

Hong Kong Quantum AI Lab (HKQAI) is assembling the team for a Physical AI for Science venture.

HKQAI is an R&D centre jointly established by The University of Hong Kong and the California Institute of Technology, with research spanning quantum chemistry, artificial intelligence and robotics.

About the role

We are developing an autonomous mobile robotic platform that combines embodied AI, perception, navigation and manipulation to perform complex tasks in real-world environments.

Our goal is to build a reliable, intelligent and deployable robotic product. The platform will primarily support scientific and laboratory applications, with broader potential across other environments.

We are hiring robotics engineers across two complementary profiles:

1. Embodied AI & Robot Learning

Engineers who teach robots new laboratory skills through perception, imitation learning, reinforcement learning and VLA models.

2. Robotics Systems & Lab Automation

Engineers who make robotic laboratory systems reliable and production-ready.

We are looking for someone with

• A master's degree or PhD in robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a related field from a leading institution (candidates graduating by July 2027 are also welcome to apply)
• Evidence of exceptional engineering or research ability
• Hands-on experience developing, integrating or working with robotic systems
• Learning agility

Key responsibilities

Across the team

• Develop an autonomous mobile robotic platform capable of navigating real-world environments and performing physical tasks
• Build and integrate robotic perception, navigation, manipulation and control capabilities
• Enable robots to interact with objects, equipment and their surroundings safely and reliably
• Translate complex operational workflows into autonomous robotic behaviours

Embodied AI track

• Develop and/or fine-tune VLA models and other robot foundation models for embodied tasks
• Apply imitation learning, reinforcement learning and other learning-based approaches to robotic perception, navigation and manipulation
• Develop robotic policies that generalise across tasks, objects and environments
• Evaluate advances in embodied AI and translate promising research into practical robotic capabilities

Robotics Systems track

• Integrate mobile platforms, robotic arms, grippers, dexterous hands, cameras, sensors and other hardware components
• Develop and optimise localisation, mapping, navigation, motion planning and control systems
• Design safety mechanisms, error recovery, remote monitoring and diagnostics
• Improve system reliability, operating efficiency and long-duration autonomous performance

What we offer

• An opportunity to help build a robotics product from its early stages, with meaningful ownership over technical decisions
• A multidisciplinary environment alongside researchers in AI, chemistry, materials science and robotics
• Compensation commensurate with capabilities and experience, with flexibility for outstanding candidates
• Exceptional candidates may be offered a founding role