Sr. Research Engineer – AI/ML Image Processing & Computational Photography
Sony · San Jose, United States · 11d ago
Sony Corporation of America, located in New York, NY, is the U.S. headquarters of Sony Group Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. With some 900 million Sony devices in hands and homes worldwide today, a vast array of Sony movies, television shows and music, and the PlayStation Network, Sony creates and delivers more entertainment experiences to more people than anyone else on earth. To learn more: www.sony.com/en.
Department Overview
At the Sony Corporation of America US R&D Laboratory, we transform bold ideas into extraordinary realities. Our engineers and scientists push boundaries through creativity and innovationto investigate emerging ideas, build prototypes, and advance solutions that reflect Sony’s high standards for quality, performance, and design. Through this work we strive to evoke Kando—the profound sense of excitement and satisfaction that comes from encountering something truly exceptional.
Position Summary
Sony Corporation of America currently has an opening for a Senior Research Engineer in our U.S. R&D Laboratorylocated in San Jose, CA, Culver City, CA, or as a remote employee. This position is responsible for researching and developing novel AI/ML-based image processing, computational photography, and computer visionalgorithms for Sony’s next-generation imaging products.
In this role, you will apply advanced engineering and mathematical principles to develop core technologies that power Sony's digital imaging products. You will tackle problems of diverse scope, exercising strong judgment in selecting methods and techniques to reach solutions. You will take concepts from initial research through product integration,collaborating with product development and engineering teamsto uphold the high standards that define Sony’s imaging technologies.
This role is being offered as a hybrid position (3 days in person) in San Jose, CA, Culver City, CA, or fully remote.Remote work can be considered after an extensive period of on-site training and may require monthly business tripsto the main office.
Responsibilities:
Research, design, and develop novel AI/ML methods for image processing, computational photography, and computer vision applications that advance Sony’s portfolio of digital imaging products
Formulate research problems and apply sound experimental design across dataset creation, neural network architecturedevelopment, model trainingand evaluation
Conduct feasibility studies and rapidly prototype ideas to validate new concepts and assess their potential for commercialization
Benchmark algorithm performance against state-of-the-art methods and iteratively improve accuracy, efficiency, and robustness
Conduct literature reviews, attend academic and industry conferences, and report on emerging trends to identify promising areas for technology development
Document methodology, experimental results, and technical designs throughout all phases of research and development. Regularly communicate findings to researchers andengineers in the US and Japan.
Draft invention disclosures and collaborate with patent attorneys to secure intellectual property
Draft and submit professional articles for technical journals as required
Occasional travel to Japan to conduct in-person meetings
Qualifications:
PhD inComputer Science,Electrical Engineering,Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field. Exceptional candidates with an MS and 3+ years of related experience may be considered
Strong fundamentals and practical experience developing deep learning, machine learning, and/or AI algorithms from the ground up,including problem formulation, dataset design, architecture development, training, and evaluation
Strong fundamentals in signal processing and statistical modeling is a plus
Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following: image and/or video processing, camera ISP,computational photography, low-level computer vision, orcomputer vision
Exceptional research skills, includinga track record of peer-reviewed publications, and the ability to critically evaluate the latest published works
A rigorous approach to experimental design and hypothesis testing
Ability to rapidly prototype new ideas to assess their technical merit
Proficient in Python and PyTorch, or a similarML framework. Familiarity with C/C++ and Linux
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to tackle challenging problems
We are committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for you to thrive as part of Sony’s purpose to “fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.”
Benefits:
SCA offers benefits-eligible employees (generally regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week) a comprehensive benefits program that offers coverage and support for employees and their family’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
What we offer you:
Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coveragewith coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits
Fertility benefits, including, surrogacy, and adoption assistance programs
Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees as well as supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/domestic partners and children
Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance
Short-term & long-term disability plans
Up to 12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave
401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with immediate vesting
Education assistance and student loan programs
Other Programs:
Flexible Work Arrangements, including remote and hybrid work schedules
Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year’s Day (based on business needs)
Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility)
Matching gift program
A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs)
Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees
Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for your Sony stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions)
The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $150,000 to $165,000. In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of 10%.This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
#LI-AS1
SCA will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.
Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at careers@sonyusa.com or by mail to: Sony Corporation of America, People Experience Department, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Please indicate the position you are applying for.
We are aware that unauthorized individuals or organizations may attempt to solicit personal information or payments from job applicants by impersonating our company through fraudulent job postings. We take these matters seriously but cannot control third-party websites. To protect your personal information, please verify that any job posting you respond to also appears on our official Careers page: www.sonyjobs.com. Please also be advised that we never request personal identifying information (such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or copies of identification documents) during the initial stages of our application process. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a job posting or communication, please contact careers@sonyusa.com before submitting any information.