Machine Learning Research Intern (Reinforcement/Imitation Learning)
- Vancouver, BC
- On-site
- Posted May 11, 2026
- 1 position
Opens an external site
- Employment type
- Internship / apprenticeship
- Experience level
- Entry, Junior · 0+ years
- Minimum education
- Master’s degree
- Posting language
- English
- Working hours
- 40 hours per week
Job summary
Design and implement state-of-the-art Reinforcement Learning and Imitation Learning algorithms for humanoid robots. Develop training and data-collection pipelines to facilitate the deployment of robotic manipulation tasks in real-world settings.
Job details
Your New Role and Team Sanctuary AI, a world leader in building dexterity-driven Physical AI for general purpose robots, is looking to hire a skilled and motivated intern to join our ML team and contribute to our team’s work in engineering and innovating unique robotic manipulation tasks. Reporting to the RL Lead, you will have the opportunity to tackle a variety of challenges related to the perception, planning, and motion systems for humanoid general-purpose robots. The best candidates for this role have excellent software development and machine learning skills as well as hands-on experience with robotics. In this role you’ll be a valued contributor and you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the design, architecture, and implementation of the simulation platform and machine learning systems that power our general-purpose robots. We are flexible regarding both the internship start date and the duration of the term. Our Success Criteria * Design, implement, and improve state-of-the-art Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Imitation Learning (IL) algorithms and test them in real-world settings * Keep up to date with state-of-the-art RL/IL methodologies and robotics * Identify, communicate, and drive promising research directions to the team * Find ways of improving existing implementations of RL/IL pipelines with regards to standard metrics such as sample efficiency, speed, computational resource usage, and scalability * Design RL/IL training and data-collection pipelines to facilitate fast deployment on physical robots * Work with a multidisciplinary team to develop novel algorithms and investigate sources of errors with existing implementations Your Experience Desired Qualifications * Pursuing MS or Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Applied Math, or related field * Experience implementing a variety of RL and IL methods with a focus in a specialization such as computer vision or robotics * Hands-on experience integrating ML models onto a robotics platform * Experience implementing and deploying (dexterous) robotic manipulation tasks in simulation and on physical robots * Experience taking ML R&D and trained models into production * Experience with computer vision systems * Experience in simulation-to-reality transfer learning Skills * Development with Python 3.6 or later * Working knowledge of PyTorch and/or JAX * Familiarity with ROS2 * Extensive knowledge of RL/IL principles and use Traits * Above all else, a consistently positive attitude and a willingness to do whatever it takes to create robust solutions to complex problems * Optimistic listening and conflict resolution capabilities * Demonstrated ability to influence others without authority * Eager to take on new challenges with tenacity and positivity * Patience, persistence, and attention to detail when resolving performance issues * Obsession with bringing human-like intelligence to machines
What you’ll do
Design and implement state-of-the-art Reinforcement Learning and Imitation Learning algorithms for humanoid robots. Develop training and data-collection pipelines to facilitate the deployment of robotic manipulation tasks in real-world settings.
Requirements
Candidates should be pursuing an MS or PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, or a related field. Experience with ML model integration on robotics platforms and proficiency in Python, PyTorch, or JAX is required.
Listed skills
- Training · Preferred
- Attention to detail · Preferred
- Planning · Preferred
- Machine learning · Preferred
- Development · Preferred
- Eager · Preferred
- Integration · Preferred
- positive · Preferred
- Flexible · Preferred
- Conflict Resolution · Preferred
- efficiency · Preferred
- Python · Preferred
Other relevant skills
Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.
- Python
- PyTorch
- JAX
- ROS2
- Reinforcement Learning
- Imitation Learning
- Computer Vision
- Robotics
- Simulation-to-Reality Transfer
- Robotic Manipulation
Job areas
- Technology
- Engineering
- Science & Research
- Software
- Data & Analytics
More jobs from Sanctuary AI
Head of Hardware
- On-site
- Vancouver, BC
- Posted May 11, 2026
Machine Learning Engineer
- On-site
- Vancouver, BC
- Posted May 11, 2026
Staff Research Scientist, Dexterous Manipulation
- On-site
- Vancouver, BC
- Posted May 11, 2026
Senior Mechanical Engineer
- On-site
- Vancouver, BC
- Posted May 11, 2026
