Senior AI and Perception Engineer for Autonomous Vehicles
On-site in Zaragoza·Added 2 days ago
What they ask for
Have the right to work in Spain
CAF doesn't mention sponsorship in the ad.
Work in English
English is required, per the ad.
Work on-site in Zaragoza
No relocation package mentioned.
Have 3+ years of experience
Senior-level role.
This job was automatically translated to English,.
The role
We are looking to bring on a Senior Artificial Intelligence and Perception Specialist, with the mission of technically leading the development and evolution of the capabilities of the ALIVE product—CAF's autonomous vehicle solution—regarding environment perception, artificial intelligence, data management, and positioning. The person will be responsible for transforming algorithms, models, and prototypes into proprietary, robust, traceable software components, deployable on embedded platforms and reusable across different railway programs.
We are looking for a senior and hands-on profile: capable of defining the solution and making architectural decisions, but also capable of programming, training, integrating, testing, and solving problems on real data and systems.
What you'll do
Technical development of perception, AI, and positioning
• Design, develop, and evolve perception algorithms for cameras, LiDAR, radar, and other sensors, including detection, classification, segmentation, tracking, and distance or speed estimation.
• Develop, train, adapt, and validate machine learning and deep learning models, including fine-tuning, domain gap management, and evaluation by operational conditions or ODD.
• Design solutions for calibration, synchronization, sensor fusion, SLAM, localization, and pose estimation, combining GNSS, IMU, odometry, digital maps, and vehicle signals where appropriate.
• Evaluate AI-based, deterministic, or hybrid solutions, selecting the most suitable alternative according to performance, robustness, explainability, computing resources, and function criticality.
Data and model lifecycle
• Define structures and pipelines for capture, ingestion, storage, anonymization, labeling, curation, and exploitation of multi-sensor data.
• Ensure the traceability and separation of training, validation, and testing datasets, as well as the reproducible versioning of data, configurations, models, and results.
• Build a technological base agnostic to sensor manufacturers and models, allowing for the reuse of railway data between vehicles, configurations, and operations.
Software product and embedded integration
• Convert experimental developments into proprietary, modular, documented, configurable, and maintainable software modules within the ALIVE architecture.
• Develop primarily in C++ and use Python when appropriate for data processing, training, automation, and validation.
• Integrate and optimize algorithms and models in Linux, ROS2, and embedded or edge platforms, considering real-time execution, latency, memory, computing capacity, and consumption.
• Define requirements, interfaces, baselines, acceptance criteria, and V&V strategies; execute unit, integration, SiL/HiL/ViL, laboratory, and vehicle tests.
• Participate in capture campaigns, field tests, and commissioning, ensuring that the learning from each program returns to the common product.
Personal competencies
High capacity for learning and problem-solving; own technical judgment; genuine curiosity; autonomy and proactivity; capacity for execution and results orientation; rigor, constancy, and responsibility; product mindset; willingness to work directly with code, data, sensors, and testing; clear communication and transversal collaboration.
Requirements
What we're looking for
Essential requirements:
• Higher degree in Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, Electronics, Robotics, Automation, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent training.
• Senior and demonstrable experience in computer vision, perception, robotics, machine learning, or autonomous systems, with direct participation in real developments.
• Practical experience with sensors, data processing, model training and validation, metrics, and debugging of complex systems.
• Professional English. Other languages are valuable.
Nice to have
Valuable knowledge and experience:
ROS2; Python; OpenCV; PyTorch or TensorFlow; YOLO, OpenPCDet or MMDetection3D; cameras, LiDAR, and radar; sensor fusion; SLAM/VIO; GNSS, IMU, and odometry; CUDA/TensorRT and NVIDIA platforms; MLOps and data/model versioning; synthetic data; railway systems or sectors with critical systems; notions of RAMS, CENELEC, and cybersecurity. Modular and maintainable software design, with good practices in configuration, testing, documentation, and version control.
The role
Buscamos incorporar un/a Especialista Senior en Inteligencia Artificial y Percepción, con la misión de liderar técnicamente el desarrollo y la evolución de las capacidades del producto ALIVE, la solución de vehículo autónomo de CAF, de percepción del entorno, inteligencia artificial, gestión de datos y posicionamiento. La persona será responsable de transformar algoritmos, modelos y prototipos en componentes software propios, robustos, trazables, desplegables en plataformas embarcadas y reutilizables en distintos programas ferroviarios.
Buscamos un perfil senior y hands-on: capaz de definir la solución y tomar decisiones de arquitectura, pero también de programar, entrenar, integrar, probar y resolver problemas sobre datos y sistemas reales.
What you'll do
Desarrollo técnico de percepción, IA y posicionamiento
• Diseñar, desarrollar y evolucionar algoritmos de percepción para cámaras, LiDAR, radar y otros sensores, incluyendo detección, clasificación, segmentación, tracking y estimación de distancia o velocidad.
• Desarrollar, entrenar, adaptar y validar modelos de machine learning y deep learning, incluyendo fine-tuning, gestión del domain gap y evaluación por condiciones operacionales u ODD.
• Diseñar soluciones de calibración, sincronización, fusión sensorial, SLAM, localización y estimación de pose, combinando cuando proceda GNSS, IMU, odometría, mapas digitales y señales del vehículo.
• Evaluar soluciones basadas en IA, deterministas o híbridas, seleccionando la alternativa más adecuada según prestaciones, robustez, explicabilidad, recursos de cómputo y criticidad de la función.
Datos y ciclo de vida de modelos
• Definir estructuras y pipelines para captura, ingestión, almacenamiento, anonimización, etiquetado, curación y explotación de datos multisensor.
• Asegurar la trazabilidad y separación de datasets de entrenamiento, validación y ensayo, así como el versionado reproducible de datos, configuraciones, modelos y resultados.
• Construir una base tecnológica agnóstica respecto a fabricantes de sensores y modelos, que permita reutilizar datos ferroviarios entre vehículos, configuraciones y explotaciones.
Producto software e integración embarcada
• Convertir desarrollos experimentales en módulos software propios, modulares, documentados, configurables y mantenibles dentro de la arquitectura ALIVE.
• Desarrollar principalmente en C++ y utilizar Python cuando resulte adecuado para tratamiento de datos, entrenamiento, automatización y validación.
• Integrar y optimizar algoritmos y modelos en Linux, ROS2 y plataformas embebidas o edge, considerando ejecución en tiempo real, latencia, memoria, capacidad de cómputo y consumo.
• Definir requisitos, interfaces, baselines, criterios de aceptación y estrategias de V&V; ejecutar pruebas unitarias, de integración, SiL/HiL/ViL, laboratorio y vehículo.
• Participar en campañas de captura, pruebas de campo y puesta en servicio, asegurando que el aprendizaje de cada programa retorna al producto común.
Competencias personales
Alta capacidad de aprendizaje y resolución de problemas; criterio técnico propio; curiosidad genuina; autonomía y proactividad; capacidad de ejecución y orientación a resultados; rigor, constancia y responsabilidad; mentalidad de producto; disposición para trabajar directamente con código, datos, sensores y pruebas; comunicación clara y colaboración transversal.
Requirements
What we're looking for
Requisitos imprescindibles:
• Titulación superior en Ingeniería Informática, Telecomunicaciones, Electrónica, Robótica, Automática, Matemáticas, Física o formación equivalente.
• Experiencia senior y demostrable en visión artificial, percepción, robótica, machine learning o sistemas autónomos, con participación directa en desarrollos reales.
• Experiencia práctica con sensórica, procesamiento de datos, entrenamiento y validación de modelos, métricas y depuración de sistemas complejos.
• Inglés profesional. Valorable otros idiomas.
Nice to have
Conocimientos y experiencia valorables:
ROS2; Python; OpenCV; PyTorch o TensorFlow; YOLO, OpenPCDet o MMDetection3D; cámaras, LiDAR y radar; fusión sensorial; SLAM/VIO; GNSS, IMU y odometría; CUDA/TensorRT y plataformas NVIDIA; MLOps y versionado de datos/modelos; datos sintéticos; sistemas ferroviarios o sectores con sistemas críticos; nociones de RAMS, CENELEC y ciberseguridad. Diseño de software modular y mantenible, con buenas prácticas de configuración, pruebas, documentación y control de versiones.
How they hire
Application review
Preliminary conversation
With talent attraction team
Interviews with the department
With a relevant department
A round of interviews with the relevant department.
Reference checks and competency tests
About CAF
CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of railway vehicles, including high-speed trains, metros, trams, and locomotives. Headquartered in Beasain, Spain, the company operates worldwide with production plants and engineering centers across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, and employs over 13,000 people. CAF is a key player in the rail industry, known for its advanced signaling systems (CBTC) and turnkey projects.
In Spain, CAF has its main engineering and manufacturing hubs in the Basque Country (Beasain, Irun, Zaragoza) and also operates in Madrid and other regions. The company offers a wide range of roles for international professionals, from engineering and software development to project management and technical support, with many positions requiring German or English. CAF's culture emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and talent development, making it an attractive employer for those seeking to work in the rail sector in Spain.
- Industry
- Rail Manufacturing
- Founded
- 1917
- Employees
- 10,000–15,000
- Headquarters
- Beasain, Spain
- In Spain
- Beasain, Madrid, Zaragoza
- Website
- cafmobility.com
Good to know if you are moving
- CAF is headquartered in Beasain, a small town in the Basque Country, but has major engineering centers in Madrid and Zaragoza, offering diverse locations for international hires.
- Many roles require German or English, making it a good fit for multilingual professionals, and the company supports relocation with structured onboarding.
- CAF offers a 'Jóvenes Talentos' (Young Talents) program and internships for students, providing a clear entry path for early-career engineers.
- The company is a global leader in rail manufacturing, with projects in over 30 countries, offering international mobility opportunities.
- CAF emphasizes innovation in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and CBTC signaling, making it a strong choice for tech-focused engineers.
In their own words
About the company & team
Because you will participate in the development of technologies that will contribute to transforming the mobility of the future.
Because you will work on innovative projects with international impact, as part of a highly specialized team in artificial intelligence, automation, and railway systems.
And because at CAF we bet on people's development, offering an environment where you can take on top-level technological challenges, learn continuously, and contribute to solutions that make transport safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
Are you up for driving the next generation of autonomous vehicles with us?
About the company & team
Porque participarás en el desarrollo de tecnologías que contribuirán a transformar la movilidad del futuro.
Porque trabajarás en proyectos innovadores con impacto internacional, formando parte de un equipo altamente especializado en inteligencia artificial, automatización y sistemas ferroviarios.
Y porque en CAF apostamos por el desarrollo de las personas, ofreciendo un entorno donde podrás asumir retos tecnológicos de primer nivel, aprender continuamente y contribuir a soluciones que hacen el transporte más seguro, eficiente y sostenible.
¿Te animas a impulsar con nosotros la próxima generación de vehículos autónomos?
Where you'd work
CAF · Zaragoza
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