Role description

Senior Computer Vision Engineer (Localization)

Niantic Spatial

AI-native

TypeFull-time

WorkplaceHybrid

SenioritySenior

Salary$189,000–$255,000

LocationSan Francisco, CA

Posted9/18/2026

Engineering

At Niantic Spatial, we’re building the future of physical AI. Powered by a proprietary database of over 30 billion posed images, our groundbreaking mapping technology unlocks a new dimension of interaction and spatial intelligence that helps both humans and machines better understand, represent, navigate, and engage with the real environment. Join us as we build the real-world foundational models for physical AI, so people and machines can work efficiently and safely together.

As a Senior Computer Vision Engineer on the Applied Algorithms team, you will own significant parts of our Localization technology. As a member of this team, you will be responsible for building the Map representing a living geospatial world model, as well as the centimeter-level accuracy Visual Positioning System (VPS) that allows people and robots to explore the real world. Part of the role will be bridging the gap between R&D and production, turning complex geospatial data into a persistent sense of space and enabling the next generation of spatial AI.

Responsibilities

System Architecture: Design, develop, and maintain production-grade computer vision systems that power Niantic Spatial’s VPS (Visual Positioning System) and 3D mapping pipelines.
Algorithmic Innovation: Refine and scale algorithms for our VPS system including, SfM (Structure from Motion) and Feed Forwards models, efficient feature and descriptor extraction to have the best possible accuracy and recall. Moving algorithms from research concepts to hardened production code that can scale for our map of the world.
Performance Engineering: Optimize complex ML and CV code for maximum efficiency in cloud and mobile environments, ensuring low latency and high-performance execution on GPU/CPU.
Benchmarking & Evaluation: Create and own the tools and frameworks used to evaluate the quality of our spatial grounding and 3D maps against ground-truth data.
Technical Leadership: Lead technical design reviews, mentor junior engineers, and serve as a team anchor for resolving complex technical disagreements within the mapping stack.
Cross-Functional Delivery: Collaborate with Product, Research, and Operations teams to ensure that state-of-the-art computer vision solutions translate into delightful user experiences.

Requirements

Education: BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Vision, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience).
Years of Experience: 5+ years of experience developing and shipping algorithms for image processing, computer vision, or 3D reconstruction.
Coding Proficiency: Expert-level proficiency in python and/or C++.
Domain Expertise: Proven track record in designing solutions for Structure from Motion (SfM), VPS or 3D mapping..
Frameworks & Tools: Deep experience with Deep Learning frameworks (PyTorch or JAX) and version control (Git).
Required in-office days: 3 days per week

Plus If:

Experience in planning and leading technical projects from inception to production.
Significant contributions to open-source CV libraries (OpenCV, COLMAP, etc.).
Experience with CUDA or shader programming for performance optimization.

Candidate Privacy Policy

I understand that by submitting my job application, the information I provide as part of that application will be used in accordance with Niantic Spatial’s Privacy Notice for Job Applicants and Candidates.

If required by law, by submitting my job application I consent to the processing of my information as described in that Notice, including processing information I voluntarily disclose to Niantic Spatial, such as health or medical information, race or ethnicity data, and sexual orientation data and, in limited circumstances sharing information with third parties such as references and other third parties that assist in the hiring process.

Niantic Spatial is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Niantic Spatial are considered without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected category under applicable laws. Niantic Spatial, will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable laws. Please contact your recruiter if you want to request an accommodation for the job application or interview process.

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Company info

Niantic Spatial

We build real-world foundation models that unlock physical AI for a more productive and resilient world.

First, our founders brought digital mapping to the world. Next, we invented global-scale AR. Now we're building the real-world foundation model for people, AI and robots. We're building for the 80% of economic activity that takes place beyond our screens: robots that lose GPS and drift off course, defense teams with no shared 3D picture of where they operate, facilities where downtime costs millions. Unlike LLMs, which understand language, we build computer-vision models that understand physical space. And unlike generated environments, our models are geometrically accurate and have real-world coordinates - which is what makes physical AI precise and trustworthy. We work across three capabilities for our customers: reconstructing physical spaces as AI-native digital twins using cheap, off-the-shelf cameras; locating and orienting – “localizing” – machines and people within those spaces; and enabling AI to understand and answer questions about the real world.

Private company

Size51–200 employees