AI/ML Manager, R&D (Kubota Technology Innovation North America)

For Earth For Life Position requires some onsite (Grapevine, TX) and previous management experience is required. Relocation and employer sponsorship are unavailable for this position. JOB OVERVIEW Kubota is transforming vehicle automation across agriculture and construction. As Manager of R&D, you'll lead a team of AI/ML engineers to build industrial-grade perception systems that replicate human sensing—vision, hearing, and touch—for fully autonomous operation. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you'll design advanced sense-plan-act pipelines and develop a scalable AI/ML tech stack that powers autonomy across Kubota’s entire machinery line. QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelors in computer engineering, Computer Science, Robotics or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred. • 5+ years working on perception algorithms, machine learning, data science and computer vision to support object detection, scene understanding and decision making. • Minimum 5 years of professional C++ and C experience including fluency with OOA/OOD/OOP methodologies required. • 5+ years’ experience developing software for embedded Linux platforms. • Prior management and project leadership experience required. • ROS2 experience preferred. • Python and PyTorch experience preferred. • Experience in Agriculture or Construction industries preferred. • Knowledge of localization, control, and sensor integration is preferred. • Willingness to travel up to 25%.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES This position does the following in accordance with all applicable Federal, State and local laws / regulations and the Company’s policies, procedures and guidelines: • Manage and mentor AI/ML Engineers in the development of a full vehicle automation stack. • Collaborate with a cross-functional team to develop full vehicle automation and autonomy focusing on system perception requirements. • Apply AI/ML and perception techniques to develop a fully functional perception stack. • Drive decision making for sensor suite and its integration into the perception stack. • Collaborate with program management, systems, and architecture engineers to ensure alignment with requirements. • Work alongside the AI/ML Architect to implement unique solutions for autonomous systems. • Lead and organize data collection and annotation efforts. • Assist in organizing teams and resources to complete proof-of-concept and commercialization programs and projects. • Create demonstrations/presentations for all levels within the organization. • Develop and maintain technical documentation from projects. • Identify and disclose new intellectual property and mentor team members to do the same. • Mentor and lead team members to follow a set of Engineering Process Guidelines contributing to high quality project outcomes. • Manage vendors needed to complete project assignments. • Other responsibilities as assigned by management.EQUIPMENT OPERATION (% of time, description, nature of service): • Office equipment including computer, copier, phone • Prototype agriculture, construction, and turf machinery as required during testing activities • Electrical and software diagnostic tools to debug and troubleshoot prototype systems.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, to permit the employee to function in a general office, workshop and field-testing environments to accomplish tasks and duties as outlined above. • Hybrid work environmentDISCLAIMER: The information provided in the description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within the classification. This description is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job/classification. This job is intended to include the current essential functions of the job. Management reserves the right to add or modify the duties and responsibilities and to designate other functions as essential at any time. Kubota is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.