Technical Lead, Computer Vision

Niantic SpatialSan Francisco, CAEngineering

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Opens the official Niantic Spatial careers page

Salary

$256.5K – $315K

Job type

Full-time

Work mode

Remote

Posted

18 Sept 2026

Status

Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

The Technical Lead, Computer Vision position at Niantic Spatial in San Francisco, CA is a full-time engineering role focused on shaping geospatial artificial intelligence and advanced 3D mapping technologies. This opportunity is well-suited for an experienced computer vision expert who wants to guide technical strategies and build production-grade spatial intelligence systems.

Role Overview

Niantic Spatial is seeking a technical leader to drive core computer vision capabilities including 3D reconstruction, semantic understanding, and localization maps. The professional in this role will bridge advanced academic research with practical applications, transforming complex geospatial data into persistent spaces for robotics and artificial intelligence. Working out of the San Francisco or Sunnyvale office three days per week while offering remote flexibility, the technical lead will help build a comprehensive living model of the physical world.

Key Responsibilities

Bridge the gap between theory and utility by translating top-tier research papers from venues like CVPR, ECCV, and NeurIPS into production-ready software features.

Direct the design and execution of 3D reconstruction pipelines, concentrating on Structure from Motion, high-fidelity mesh generation, and 3D Gaussian Splats.

Build and optimize machine learning and Gaussian Splatting algorithms for high-performance execution across CPU and GPU architectures.

Author and maintain shader-based production code using C++ for Android and Linux environments.

Collaborate with engineering leadership to establish quarterly objectives and the technical roadmap for the Applied Computer Vision Team.

Deliver technical mentorship and code governance to raise the overall engineering standards of the group.

Partner alongside Research and Spatial Solutions teams to translate high-level strategies into actionable engineering execution.

Drive benchmarking and quality standards to ensure accurate spatial grounding for AI queries.

Requirements

Eight or more years of professional working experience in machine learning, computer vision, or an adjacent technical domain, or six or more years with an applicable PhD.

Holds a Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with Master or PhD degrees preferred.

Demonstrates strong operational proficiency in Python and C or C++ for production software development.

Possesses specialized expertise in 3D computer vision and machine learning, particularly regarding Structure from Motion, 3D reconstruction, and Gaussian Splatting rendering methods.

Proven capability in optimizing algorithms for graphical processing units within Android or Linux platforms.

Background in computer graphics and C++ shader-based implementation techniques.

Prior experience successfully leading computer vision engineering teams within high-growth corporate settings.

Ability to fulfill the work location requirement of spending three days per week in the San Francisco or Sunnyvale office.

Skills and Tools

Python

C++

Computer Vision

Machine Learning

Structure from Motion (SfM)

3D Reconstruction

Gaussian Splatting

GPU Optimization

Android and Linux Environments

Shader-Based Graphics

Salary and Benefits

Annual Salary Range: $256,500 to $315,000 USD per year

About the Company

Niantic Spatial creates geospatial artificial intelligence powered by a proprietary database containing over 30 billion posed images alongside a third-generation digital map. The organization develops spatial intelligence designed to help both humans and machines navigate, comprehend, and interact with the physical world through high-fidelity mapping technology.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the official Niantic Spatial careers page to submit an application for this position.

Skills and tech stack

Python Computer Vision C++Machine Learning

Questions candidates ask

What is the salary range for the Technical Lead, Computer Vision?

The annual salary for this position ranges from $256,500 to $315,000 USD.

Where is this job located?

The role is based in San Francisco, CA, with a requirement to work three days per week in either the San Francisco or Sunnyvale office, alongside remote work options.

What qualifications are required regarding experience?

Candidates need at least 8 years of professional experience in computer vision, machine learning, or a related field, or 6 years of experience combined with a relevant PhD.

What core technical programming languages are necessary?

Strong proficiency in Python and C or C++ is required for production-level software development.

How should I apply for this position?

Applicants should submit their application directly through the official Niantic Spatial careers website.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Niantic Spatial careers page.

Apply on company site