Research Engineer

human-computer-labTorontoResearch

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Opens the official human-computer-lab careers page

Salary

Not listed

Job type

Full-time

Work mode

Remote

Posted

8 Oct 2026

Status

Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Human Computer Lab is seeking a Research Engineer in Toronto to build character robots that feel alive and responsive for everyday home environments. This role suits an inventor and builder who combines theoretical exploration with hands-on hardware and software creation across multiple technical layers.

Role Overview

The Research Engineer position focuses on pushing the boundaries of human-robot interaction by developing expressive, human-centered technology. Based in Toronto, the role involves working directly alongside the chief executive officer and founding team to design character robots, beginning with the LeLamp project. Candidates manage open-ended problems spanning motion, perception, sensing, actuation, thermals, and inference stacks.

Key Responsibilities

Select open problems across system domains including motion, perception, sensing, actuation, thermals, inference, and tooling to advance them from initial concepts to operational artifacts.

Test unconventional methodologies first, evaluate failures objectively, and apply insights gained from setbacks.

Establish evaluation frameworks, metrics, probes, and comparisons prior to trusting experimental results.

Generate and curate datasets through bootstrapping and synthesis while identifying misleading synthetic data.

Deliver complete end-to-end systems comprising models, datasets, firmware, demos, and physical robots operating reliably in real environments.

Navigate various abstraction layers ranging from circuits and motor drivers to trained models and interaction layers.

Document experimental trials, failures, metrics, and future steps clearly to ensure reproducibility.

Utilize artificial intelligence as a research partner for search space mapping, experiment execution, and idea pressure testing.

Requirements

Possess a portfolio of self-driven projects, repositories, documentation, videos, or robots initiated through personal curiosity.

Demonstrate experience taking at least one concept from an initial idea to a functional, measured artifact from start to finish.

Maintain fluency in Python alongside working knowledge in lower-level domains such as C or C++, embedded systems, or electronics.

Show proven experience training, evaluating, and deploying machine learning models while reasoning about edge device latency and compute.

Build physical hardware devices, robots, instruments, or sensor rigs directly from components rather than pre-packaged kits.

Articulate technical failures with the same clarity as successes.

Hold a degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or a related discipline, or present equivalent proof of work.

Nice to Have

Published research papers, widely used open-source projects, or a public body of technical writing.

Skills and Tools

Python

C/C++

Embedded systems

Electronics

Machine learning models

Edge computing inference stacks

About the Company

Human Computer Lab builds character robots designed to make everyday objects interactive and reshape human attachment to technology. The organization strives to make technology legible, emotionally intuitive, and human-centered for everyday environments. The company operates as an equal opportunity employer committed to considering all qualified applicants regardless of background, identity, or status.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly on the official company careers page.

Skills and tech stack

Python C C++Embedded Systems Electronics Machine Learning Inference Stack

Questions candidates ask

Where is the Research Engineer role located?

The position is located in Toronto.

What programming languages and technical skills are required?

Candidates must be fluent in Python and comfortable lower in the stack with C or C++, embedded systems, or electronics, alongside experience in machine learning model deployment and hardware building.

Is a specific university degree mandatory?

A degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or a related field is accepted, but equivalent proof of work is also considered.

Who will the Research Engineer work with directly?

The engineer will work directly with the chief executive officer and founding team.

How should applicants submit their applications?

Applicants should apply on the official company careers page.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official human-computer-lab careers page.

Apply on company site