AI Intern – Vision-Language-Action (VLA) & Data at RIVR (Zurich, Switzerland)
RIVR· Zurich, Switzerland·
Job description
RIVR, part of Amazon is a robotics company pioneering Physical AI through real-world doorstep delivery. Founded in 2024 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, RIVR, part of Amazon developed wheeled-legged robots designed to operate in complex, unstructured environments such as stairs, gates, doors, and uneven urban terrain. We believe that achieving general physical intelligence requires solving real customer problems in the real world, where robots can learn from rich operational data at scale. Following our acquisition by Amazon in March 2026, we are continuing this mission with greater reach and speed. By combining custom robot hardware, onboard autonomy, and cloud-based coordination, RIVR, part of Amazon is building the next generation of safe, reliable autonomous robots for last-mile delivery. Important Notice: For this position, we can unfortunately only accept applications from citizens of Schengen Area countries. This restriction does not apply to ETHZ and EPFL students who are required to complete compulsory internships as part of their studies.
What you’ll be doing
- Support the team in processing, curating, and analyzing multi-modal sensor data for training VLA models.
- Get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art VLA models.
- Assist in developing software tools to visualize data and debug model performance.
- Work closely with senior engineers to implement data strategies that improve the robustness of our robotic systems.
- Help integrate software components to evaluate algorithms in simulation and on hardware.
- Engage in continuous learning and gain exposure to recent developments in VLA, self-supervised learning, and generative AI.
What you must have
- At least BSc in Computer Science, Robotics, Machine Learning, or a related field.
- Proficiency in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks (preferably PyTorch).
- Hands-on experience (either through coursework, previous internships, or other projects) with deep learning for computer vision.
- Familiarity with data manipulation libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, OpenCV).
- Strong problem-solving skills and an eagerness to work with complex, real-world data.
- Eagerness to learn and contribute in a collaborative team environment.
Get some bonus points
- An MSc or ongoing PhD in a related field.
- Previous experience working with large-scale image or video datasets.
- Knowledge or experience with transformers, Vision-Language Models and/or VLA’s.
- Experience with 3D geometry, camera projections, or sensor fusion.
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Experience working with robotic systems
- Experience in motion/action prediction in robotics context.
Why work at RIVR
- Cutting‑edge technology: Work on Physical AI, reinforcement learning, and advanced robotics at the intersection of software and hardware.
- Zurich location: Office and development lab in the heart of Zürich; relocation bonus offered.
- Compensation & perks: Competitive, transparent salary; Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); annual performance‑based bonus; five weeks of vacation.
- Team & culture: Work alongside top engineers from ETH Zurich, Amazon, Meta, and leading robotics labs. Flat hierarchy with a strong technical focus.
- Remote/hybrid policy: On‑site presence expected (all current job postings are “On‑site – Full”); the robotics lab requires physical presence.
- Growth opportunity: Being part of an Amazon‑owned company provides stability and resources while still operating with a startup‑like engineering intensity.