Humanoid Project Leader

Valeo•Reno, NV

About The Position

As a Humanoid Project Leader at Valeo, you will identify and prioritize industrial use cases, operational constraints, and performance targets; write technical specifications; and prepare materials for the humanoid training center. You will identify suitable gripper designs based on those already used in Valeo factories and lead the RO humanoid training center. The role includes fine-tuning vision-language-action (VLA) systems to meet accuracy KPIs, assessing whether simulation-to-reality methods can optimize training time, and training robots on supply-chain and dexterity tasks using materials supplied by plants under real conditions. You will lead trainees and PhD researchers supporting this work, develop training for engineering and industrial teams, and prepare robots for deployment to Valeo plants. Drawing on lessons learned, you will recommend how future industrial assets can be designed to accommodate humanoid constraints, working with the process engineering network on humanoid process design. You will also maintain technology awareness, attend relevant events and exhibitions, lead and assess suppliers, run division-defined robots at the training center, and evaluate proof-of-concept workshops and their KPIs. The role also supports the development of worldwide safety and cybersecurity frameworks for humanoid use in factories and ensures ongoing compliance with industrial regulations and standards. You will coordinate with regional-office digital managers and plants across the BRAIN and LIGHT divisions. Greensburg, Indiana is the preferred location, but candidates anywhere in the United States may be considered.

Requirements

PhD or Master’s degree in Robotics, AI, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, mobile autonomous robotics, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in AI and humanoid robots, unless the candidate has completed a PhD.
Proven experience with mechatronics, signal processing, and embedded intelligent systems.
Proficiency in Python, C++, and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.

Nice To Haves

Deep understanding of VLA, Embodied AI, and Generative AI applied to robotics.
Experience with ROS or ROS2.

Responsibilities

Identify, capture, and prioritize industrial use cases, operational constraints, and performance target KPIs.
Write technical specifications and prepare the materials needed for the humanoid training center.
Identify suitable gripper designs based on those already used in Valeo factories.
Lead the RO humanoid training center.
Fine-tune VLA systems until accuracy KPIs are reached and assess whether simulation-to-reality methods can optimize training time.
Train robots on supply-chain and dexterity industrial tasks using materials provided by plants under real conditions.
Lead trainees and PhD researchers supporting the activity.
Identify and build training for Valeo engineering and industrial teams on the technologies involved and tested.
Prepare robots for deployment to Valeo plants.
Use lessons learned to recommend future asset designs compatible with humanoid constraints, in collaboration with the process engineering network.
Maintain technology awareness and participate in relevant events and exhibitions to build an external network.
Lead division suppliers, challenge them, and run division-defined robots in the RO training center.
Participate in supplier training needed to build proficiency in VLA.
Continuously scan the supplier landscape, including newcomers; visit supplier facilities and invite suppliers to Valeo plants to assess their factory-floor capabilities.
Recommend new suppliers for the division panel and evaluate their technology maturity.
Experiment with the technology through proof-of-concept workshops at Valeo plants, evaluate defined KPIs, and update specifications based on lessons learned.
Support the Division in developing worldwide safety and cybersecurity frameworks for humanoid use in factories.
Ensure ongoing compliance with evolving industrial regulations and norms.
Coordinate with the Digital Managers of RO Drive and RO Thermal at division POWER level, and with RO plants of the BRAIN and LIGHT divisions at Group level.