Research Science Manager, Safe Autonomy, SAF Lab
Pasadena, CAFull-timePosted Aug 6, 2026
We are seeking a Research Science Manager to join the SAF Lab. In this role, you will lead a team of world-class applied scientists, engineers, post-docs and interns developing the next generation of safe autonomy on highly dynamic robotic systems. You will drive technical vision, research strategy, and ensure your team's innovations translate into production systems that operate at Amazon scale. You will interface with top academic researchers at the forefront of safe autonomy, and interdisciplinary teams across Amazon working on autonomous mobile robots, mobile manipulators, and dynamically stable robots. You will bridge academic research with real-world deployable safety layers that enable robots to safely operate around humans.
Key job responsibilities
• Manage a team of scientists and engineers developing a universal safety layer for robotic systems, with a focus on the next generation of robots
• Work with leadership to design and execute multi-year research roadmaps for the development of safe autonomy that spans all types of current and emerging robotic platforms
• Lead Scientists, Engineers, post-docs and interns to realize research and development goals and provide evidence of these results in a variety of formats
• Drive integration of control barrier functions with planning, perception and learning while maintaining guarantees of safe high-performance robot behavior
• Collaborate with product teams and science leaders to set a science roadmap (with eventual impact on real robots).
• Publish research findings at top-tier conferences and contribute to the broader robotics community
• Build relationships with academic and industry partners to stay at the forefront of safe autonomy
A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:
1. Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
2. Maternity and Parental Leave Options
3. Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 401(k) Plan
If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly, we'd still love to hear from you! At Amazon, we value people with unique backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. If you’re passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale, please apply!
About the team
Work with the inventor of control barrier functions in the Safe Autonomy Frontiers (SAF) Lab. The first industry research lab in safe autonomy, developing a universal safety layer for the next generation of robotic systems: mobile robots, manipulators, mobile manipulators, and future platforms with dynamic stability. You will push the frontiers of performant safety for highly dynamic robots: CBF theory integrated with perception and learning, evaluated on next-generation robots. Your work will underpin robots operating alongside people at Amazon's unprecedented scale.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
USA, CA, PASADENA - 175,100.00 - 236,900.00 USD annually
Key job responsibilities
• Manage a team of scientists and engineers developing a universal safety layer for robotic systems, with a focus on the next generation of robots
• Work with leadership to design and execute multi-year research roadmaps for the development of safe autonomy that spans all types of current and emerging robotic platforms
• Lead Scientists, Engineers, post-docs and interns to realize research and development goals and provide evidence of these results in a variety of formats
• Drive integration of control barrier functions with planning, perception and learning while maintaining guarantees of safe high-performance robot behavior
• Collaborate with product teams and science leaders to set a science roadmap (with eventual impact on real robots).
• Publish research findings at top-tier conferences and contribute to the broader robotics community
• Build relationships with academic and industry partners to stay at the forefront of safe autonomy
A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:
1. Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
2. Maternity and Parental Leave Options
3. Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 401(k) Plan
If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly, we'd still love to hear from you! At Amazon, we value people with unique backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. If you’re passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale, please apply!
About the team
Work with the inventor of control barrier functions in the Safe Autonomy Frontiers (SAF) Lab. The first industry research lab in safe autonomy, developing a universal safety layer for the next generation of robotic systems: mobile robots, manipulators, mobile manipulators, and future platforms with dynamic stability. You will push the frontiers of performant safety for highly dynamic robots: CBF theory integrated with perception and learning, evaluated on next-generation robots. Your work will underpin robots operating alongside people at Amazon's unprecedented scale.
Basic qualifications
- Bachelor's degreePreferred qualifications
- PhD in Engineering, Technology, Science, Operations Research, Robotics, Mathematics, or related fields, or Master's degreeAmazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, PASADENA - 175,100.00 - 236,900.00 USD annually