Sr. Manager R&D – Computer Vision, Robotics & AI

FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations. Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery. Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow. We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services.

At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves. Our Team. Our Passion. Our Approach. 

Sr. Manager R&D – Computer Vision, Robotics & AI

The Research and Development group within FORTNA focuses on novel approaches to automation within the material handling sector. Product Development is seeking an experienced Software Engineering Manager to direct the Computer Vision, Robotics & AI group.

The successful candidate will be the hands-on leader of a close-knit team of software developers and Machine Learning Engineers developing innovative products based on the latest deep learning algorithms. The development team is highly skilled and is tackling some of the hardest computer vision problems in the Material Handling Industry. Candidates should be self-motivated and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Successfully leading and developing a highly skilled team in all aspects of the development of commercial grade software & solutions for material handling systems. Products are developed in either C/C++ or CUDA on Linux platforms.
• Hands-on with fast prototyping efforts for analyzing viable computer vision solutions for a particular task.
• Performing hands-on development of product components in either C/C++ or CUDA.
• Developing state of the art machine learning models for challenging computer vision tasks.
• Developing and implementing GenAI based solutions for FORTNA.
• As the products being developed are driving the future of computer vision, the successful candidate must be comfortable taking abstract, complex concepts and shepherding them through to product realization.
• Actively working with our Mechanical, Controls and Robotics teams for tightly integrated products.
• Supporting and advising Business Development and Product Management on Vision and Robotics products and solutions.
• Working with LPS (Lifecycle Performance Services) and sometimes directly with customers to resolve post-deployment issues and/or evolve product roadmaps.
• Successfully build research partnerships in the field of computer vision with elite research institutions.
• Leading efforts to improve the data pipeline for all machine learning tasks.

Required Qualifications:

• M.S. or PhD. in Comp. Sci., Comp. E., Elec. E., or related fields.
• Hands-on experience writing C/C++ or CUDA code in a Linux environment.
• Experience working with or leading engineering teams in the following disciplines: electrical, mechanical, controls, manufacturing, after-sales, procurement.
• Experience with computer vision software.
• Experience with Machine Learning Advancements and Latest Deep Learning Techniques for computer vision Applications.
• Experience with sensor fusion algorithms for computer vision applications.
• Five years of experience implementing parallel, synchronous, and asynchronous, low latency algorithms.
• Knowledgeable in GPU hardware and associated limitations.
• Knowledgeable in NVIDIA’s line of SoCs, such as the Jetson platform.
• Strong understanding of OpenCV and/or PCL.
• Strong understanding of evolving GenAI models.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• 5+ years leading software engineering teams developing commercial grade, industrial software systems.
• Practical experience in developing software solutions using a balance of:
  • Analytic based Heuristics
  • Develop, train, and integrate DNNs
  • Off-line numeric solvers
  • Online analytic solvers
• Practical experience with the latest transformers-based detection and segmentation networks.
• Knowledgeable in building self-supervi