---
title: 'Perception Engineer, Autonomy (Air Domain) at Applied Intuition'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/perception-engineer-autonomy-air-domain-applied-intuition-fort-walton-beach-nyr2rmxrq8s6'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-01'
---

# Perception Engineer, Autonomy (Air Domain) at Applied Intuition

- **Company:** [Applied Intuition](https://feeny.ai/companies/applied-intuition)
- **Location:** Fort Walton Beach, FL
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-01
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/applied/7edcde77-bf0c-4ee3-a7cc-77f3a60f1036

## Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at [applied.co](http://applied.co). We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions

## About the role

As a Perception Engineer, you will help build the perception layer of an autonomy stack for uncrewed air vehicles. The team turns noisy, intermittent data from many sensors and teammates into a reliable picture of the airspace.

This role spans classical state estimation and tracking, sensor fusion, and learning-based prediction. Increasingly, those models adapt online during an engagement from limited and delayed feedback. The engineer will design and implement real-time C++ algorithms, build the tooling and simulation studies that show whether they work, and carry ideas from research prototypes into deployable software. We need someone fluent in both estimation theory and machine learning, rigorous about measuring results, and comfortable working at the line between research and production.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

- Develop, integrate, and adapt cutting-edge AI/ML algorithms running on the perception autonomy stack to collect relevant information across a suite of platform sensors
- Create interfacing software to autonomously control sensors (e.g., EO, IR, acoustics, radar, and RF)
- Collaborate across the sensor, tracking, and autonomy teams to ensure seamless deployment of heterogeneous platform swarms in on-site DoD testing and demonstration events
- Deploy containerized solutions to embedded Linux devices, leveraging computer-in-the-loop testing and profiling, and efficiently collecting performance data
- Interact with the DoD customer to understand their use cases, requirements, and triage needs during field events to deliver a superior customer experience

We're looking for someone who has:

- BS/MS in Electrical, Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, plus 3+ years building perception or estimation software for autonomous systems.
- Strong modern C++ (17/20) for real-time, performance-critical code on Linux. Comfortable with linear algebra libraries (e.g. Eigen) and profiling.
- Solid grounding in state estimation: Kalman filter variants (EKF/UKF), multiple-model filters (IMM), and covariance and uncertainty handling.
- Experience with multi-target tracking and sensor fusion: data association, track management, and fusing heterogeneous sensors that report intermittently and with noise.
- Working knowledge of machine learning for prediction, including sequence models (RNN/LSTM, transformers), training pipelines, and evaluating models on held-out data.
- Python for data pipelines, analysis and visualization of logged and simulated runs.
- Experience validating algorithms in simulation and with recorded data: designing experiments, defining metrics, and reading results honestly.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Vision, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field2+ years of experience in industry.

Security Requirements:

- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: click [here](https://www.state.gov/securityclearances).

Nice to have:

- Experience with online, real-time learning: models that adapt during operation, not just offline training.
- Background in adaptive control or learning-based estimation (e.g. concurrent learning, Lyapunov-based learning, Bayesian or recursive least-squares parameter estimation).
- Experience learning from intermittent, delayed or sparse feedback, where ground truth arrives late or only sometimes.
- Behavior and intent prediction for other agents, including models of non-cooperative or adversarial actors.
- Deploying small neural networks in C++ without heavy ML frameworks, under tight latency and compute budgets.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment. Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position. Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws. FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact careers@applied.co. We will work with you!

## About Applied Intuition

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Applied Intuition builds software and digital infrastructure to bring physical AI — autonomous driving and robotics — to every moving machine on the planet.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series C; $1.5B total funding raised)
- **Headquarters**: Sunnyvale, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Qasar Younis (CEO) and Peter Ludwig (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Autonomous driving, robotics, defense technology, simulation and validation software for ADAS/AD systems.
- **Target customers**: B2B — automotive OEMs (18 of top 20 global automakers), trucking, construction, mining, agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Defense and its allies.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “To build physical AI that creates a safer, more prosperous world.”

## Products & Services
- **Tools for Vehicle Intelligence**: Simulation, validation, and data management platforms for ADAS and autonomous vehicle development. SaaS and software tools for engineers building intelligent machines.
- **Vehicle OS**: An operating system for vehicles that manages over-the-air updates, data pipelines, and in-vehicle software, enabling automakers to deploy and maintain software-defined vehicles at scale.
- **Self-Driving Systems / Autonomy Stack**: End-to-end autonomous driving solutions, including perception, planning, and control, designed for cars, trucks, and off-road machinery.
- **NextGen OS & Infrastructure**: Platforms for defense, robotics, and next-generation physical AI applications, including solutions used by the U.S. military.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: ~$15 billion (as of 2024/2025, per LinkedIn profile)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of $1.5 billion; 1,153 employees (+55% YoY); 396 active job postings
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, Floodgate, NVIDIA, Databricks; partners include 18 of top 20 global automakers and U.S. defense agencies.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Acquired EpiSci (Feb 2025), Caliber Data Labs, and entities in Germany/UK.
  - Headcount grew 55% YoY; 1,000+ engineers.
  - Office expansion to 12 countries (US, UK, Germany, Sweden, South Korea, Japan, India, etc.).
  - Active hiring — job postings up 117.6% YoY.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep domain expertise**: Founded by YC alum/former GM engineer (Qasar Younis) and ex-Google Maps/Android Automotive engineer (Peter Ludwig).
- **Talent density**: 1,000+ engineers, 40+ ex-CTOs, and 30+ former founders on staff — a unique concentration of senior, founder-level talent.
- **Breadth of industry coverage**: Serves automotive, defense, trucking, mining, agriculture, and construction — rare diversification in physical AI.
- **Trusted by government and top OEMs**: U.S. military and 18 of top 20 global automakers rely on their stack, creating high switching costs and deep moats.
- **End-to-end platform**: Covers simulation, validation, OS, and full autonomy stack — not just a point solution.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expansion into defense**: Heavy investment in defense AI, including acquisitions and dedicated government offices in Washington D.C., San Diego, and Ft. Walton Beach.
- **Scaling physical AI beyond automotive**: Driving autonomy into mining, agriculture, construction, drones, and satellites.
- **Growing global footprint**: Opening offices in Europe and Asia to serve local OEM and defense clients.
- **Deepening the research lab**: Building a world-class AI research team focused on real-world intelligence.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “1,000 engineers, 40 ex-CTOs, and 30 former founders” — a high-agency, high-trust environment where engineers take ownership of hard problems from day one.
- **Impact**: Work on technology that goes from sports cars to fighter jets to mining trucks — real-world physical AI that saves lives and reshapes industries.
- **Benefits**:
  - 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  - 50% 401(k) matching
  - Up to 12 weeks fully paid parental leave
  - Learning stipend for education and training
  - Fitness and wellness stipend
  - 25 free Lyra coaching/therapy sessions per year
  - Catered lunches and expensed dinners, snacks, and drinks at offices
  - Alumni network for long-term professional connections
- **Work model**: Office-first culture with global hubs (12 offices across US, Europe, and Asia). Not fully remote — roles are generally tied to a specific office location.

## Sources
1. [appliedintuition.com — About](https://www.appliedintuition.com/about)
2. [appliedintuition.com — Homepage](https://www.appliedintuition.com/)
3. [linkedin.com — Applied Intuition Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/applied-intuition-inc)
4. [appliedintuition.com — Careers](https://www.appliedintuition.com/careers)
5. [appliedintuition.com — Jobs](https://www.appliedintuition.com/jobs)

## Other roles at Applied Intuition

- [Senior C++ Software Engineer - Drone Stack](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-c-software-engineer-drone-stack-applied-intuition-washington-w01651y6fg07) — Washington, DC
- [Senior C++ Software Engineer - Drone Stack](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-c-software-engineer-drone-stack-applied-intuition-fort-walton-beach-nqfcdjnvwm2b) — Fort Walton Beach, FL
- [Software Engineer- Maps Rendering](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-maps-rendering-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-s2dck9b1hczs) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Systems Engineer, Insights and Analytics (SDS Trucking)](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-engineer-insights-and-analytics-sds-trucking-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-jfkyfn8tfwsv) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Software Engineer - Dana for Physical AI](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-dana-for-physical-ai-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-rp4bgwpcnc8p) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Solution Engineer - Vehicle OS](https://feeny.ai/job/solution-engineer-vehicle-os-applied-intuition-stuttgart-qvjvzrzqqwc7) — Stuttgart, Germany
- [Product Manager - Digital Proving Grounds](https://feeny.ai/job/product-manager-digital-proving-grounds-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-pvfefed6dmpf) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Intercompany Operations and Controls Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/intercompany-operations-and-controls-manager-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-f7gpes4gnrkx) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Senior Accounts Payable Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-accounts-payable-manager-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-0hz6hnw3tghy) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Founding Developer Tooling Engineer - Middle East](https://feeny.ai/job/founding-developer-tooling-engineer-middle-east-applied-intuition-riyadh-hpc4amsy5qts) — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia