Senior Mapping Localization Engineer

Robotic Data builds spatial intelligence systems that transform large-scale sensor data into accurate, usable geospatial and mapping products. We are seeking a Senior Mapping & Localization Engineer to enhance and develop core algorithms and infrastructure for localization, sensor alignment, camera geometry, and spatial data integration workflows in Oxford, UK.

This role focuses on improving map consistency and accuracy across large capture datasets by solving problems in SLAM loop closure, point cloud registration, sensor fusion, camera calibration, and coordinate system transformations.

You will work at the intersection of robotics, photogrammetry, computer vision, and geospatial systems.

Responsibilities:

Mapping & Localization

• Enhance existing or design and implement new SLAM pipelines to improve global trajectory consistency and reduce drift across large-scale mapping datasets collected from different sources.
• Improve localization robustness across multi-session and multi-sensor capture systems.

Point Cloud Registration & Alignment

• Improve point cloud registration pipelines for LiDAR and multi-modal datasets.
• Develop workflows for cross-session map alignment and map merging.

Sensor Fusion & Spatial Integration

• Improve and develop sensor fusion pipelines integrating LiDAR, cameras, GNSS, IMU, odometry, and external references.
• Implement temporal synchronization and uncertainty-aware fusion methods.
• Integrate third-party spatial datasets and external map sources into Robotic Data mapping pipelines.

Coordinate Systems & Transformations

• Design and maintain coordinate transformation frameworks across different coordinate systems.
• Implement georeferencing and transformation validation workflows.
• Support spatial accuracy assessment and error analysis.

Camera Systems & Optimization

• Maintain and optimize camera calibration and camera pose optimization pipelines.
• Improve trajectory accuracy through joint optimization of sensor geometry and pose estimates.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• BS / MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Geomatics, Photogrammetry, Mathematics, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in robotics, mapping, computer vision, or geospatial systems.
• Strong background in SLAM, localization, sensor fusion, geometric optimization, and 3D reconstruction.
• Strong C++ and Python skills.
• Experience with numerical optimization and geometry libraries.

Technical Experience: SLAM / Optimization

• GTSAM
• Ceres Solver
• g2o
• Factor graph optimization
• Bundle adjustment

Point Clouds / Registration

• PCL
• Open3D
• ICP / NDT registration
• LiDAR processing

Computer Vision

• OpenCV
• Camera models
• Calibration methods
• Pose estimation
• SfM / photogrammetry

Robotics

• ROS / ROS2
• Sensor synchronization
• GNSS / IMU integration
• State estimation

Geospatial

• Coordinate reference systems
• Geodesy
• PROJ
• GDAL
• Transformation pipelines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large-scale mapping systems or mobile mapping platforms.
• Experience processing city-scale LiDAR datasets.
• Understanding of uncertainty propagation and covariance modeling.
• Experience with multi-session localization and map fusion.
• Background in photogrammetry or visual-inertial systems.
• Publications or open-source contributions in SLAM, mapping, or calibration.

Work Environment

This role may be remote, hybrid, or office-based depending on the selected candidate location. Candidates must be comfortable collaborating across global teams and time zones. Job Details

• Timeline: For immediate hire
• Job Type: Full Time / Permanent, with benefits required by law
• Location: Oxford, UK
• Work Model: Remote, hybrid or office-based depending on selected candidate location
• Pay: £85,000 – £105,000 per year, depending on experience

***DO NOT CONTACT THE HIRING MANAGER DIRECTLY, YOU MUST FOLLOW THE APPLICATIONS PROCESS***
About Us: Robotic Data provides the real-world data infrastructure for Physical AI. The company combines World Data and Human Data to create high-quality datasets that enable autonomous vehicles, drones, embodied AI, humanoid robots, and other intelligent systems to understand, navigate, and operate safely in the physical world. Learn more at www.roboticdata.com.

EEO Statement: Robotic Data is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Supplier shall not discriminate against any worker based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, color, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, union membership, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by country law, in hiring and other employment practices. Supplier shall not require pregnancy or medical tests, except where required by applicable laws or regulations or prudent for workplace safety, and shall not improperly discriminate based on test results. DISCLAIMER: All claims and offers to compensation, rewards, and onboarding procedures are at the sole discretion of Robotic Data.