[Remote] Senior, ML Engineer - Auto Tagger

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Torc Robotics is a leader in autonomous driving technology focused on developing software for automated trucks. The Senior ML Engineer - Auto Tagger will be responsible for architecting and optimizing data pipelines, developing ML-assisted algorithms, and collaborating across teams to enhance data curation for autonomous trucking.ResponsibilitiesScenario Mining at Scale: Architect and optimize distributed data pipelines to process massive multi-sensor logs (camera, LiDAR, radar, kinematics), automatically extracting and cataloging safety-critical and long-tail driving eventsAdvanced Event Tagging: Develop and tune both heuristic-based and ML-assisted algorithms (including exploring Vision-Language Models or semantic vector search) to automatically classify and describe complex environmental and behavioral scenariosStandardized Data Structuring: Extract and format scenario data utilizing the Pegasus layer standard (alongside opensource frameworks) to ensure semantic consistency and rigorous metadata integrityData Flywheel Integration: Manage the ingestion of tagged events into the observations database, enabling high-speed querying and retrieval for ML training, regression testing, and system validationCross-Functional Alignment: Operate with broad autonomy to drive consensus across organizational boundaries. Collaborate closely with downstream consumers in perception, simulation, and systems engineering to define what constitutes an "interesting scenario" and operationalize a continuous data loopMentorship & Team Growth: Guide, mentor, and elevate less-experienced engineers. Lead design reviews, establish coding standards, and foster a culture of technical excellence and collaborative problem-solvingSkillsBS or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Engineering, or a STEM field, with 6+ years in data engineering, ML systems, or autonomous data curationCore Languages: Strong Python and SQL skills, with heavy experience processing massive time-series or unstructured datasetsML & Dataset Curation: Hands-on machine learning and dataset curation experience, with a demonstrated history of implementing targeted datasets that measurably improve downstream model performanceData Exploration: Hands-on experience using Databricks (or similar platforms) for large-scale analytics, interactive querying, and making massive vehicle datasets searchableCloud & Compute: Expertise in distributed compute frameworks (Ray, Spark, Beam) and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) for executing heavy data workloadsAV Standards: Experience parsing complex data formats and applying scenario-description standards like Pegasus layersCommunication: Exceptional ability to translate complex data engineering challenges into clear strategies for cross-functional stakeholdersTechnical Leadership: Proven track record of mentoring teams, driving system architecture, and defining engineering roadmapsAuto-labeling & VLMs: Familiarity with foundational models, auto-labeling pipelines, or zero-shot classification for scenario extractionModel Serving: Experience with vLLM, SGLang, or similar frameworks for highly optimized, high-throughput model serving and inferenceSemantic Inference: Experience with semantic extraction and attribute mapping to help build out a robust semantic inference engine, moving beyond standard bounding-box object detectionData Tooling: Familiarity with parsing robotics formats (ROS bags, MCAP) and optimizing high-performance columnar storage formats (Parquet, Arrow)Downstream Integration: Knowledge of how scenario data feeds into generative simulation workflows, neural rendering, or sensor fusion validationAdvanced Retrieval: Experience building semantic retrieval systems or vector databases for automotive dataBenefitsA competitive compensation package that includes a bonus component and stock options100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees401K plan with a 6% employer matchFlexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (availableimmediately after start date)Company-wide holiday office closuresAD+D and Life InsuranceSign-on payments, relocation, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefitsCompany OverviewTorc provides L4 end-to-end self-driving software for mobility, trucking, mining, and defense markets through strategic partnerships It was founded in 2005, and is headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, with a workforce of 501-1000 employees. Its website is http://torc.ai.Company H1B SponsorshipTorc Robotics has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 8 in 2026, 99 in 2025, 41 in 2024, 33 in 2023, 39 in 2022, 14 in 2021, 7 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.