Machine Learning Research Perception Intern - Spring 2027 - Santa Clara, CA

Nissan • Santa Clara, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Nissan is seeking a Machine Learning Research Intern - Perception to join its Autonomous Driving Systems team in Santa Clara, California, for a 12-week Spring 2027 program. The team advances perception technologies that help autonomous vehicles understand and interact safely with their surroundings. Machine learning-based perception models support functions such as moving-object detection and tracking, road-structure estimation, and environmental understanding.

The intern will gain hands-on experience validating and evaluating state-of-the-art perception models deployed on autonomous vehicle platforms. Working with researchers and engineers, the intern will use large-scale real-world driving datasets to evaluate models, develop validation methodologies and performance metrics, analyze model behavior in varied conditions, and identify opportunities to improve robustness and reliability.

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD degree program in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• GPA of 3.0 or above; an official or unofficial transcript is required during the application process for verification.
• Strong programming skills in C++ and/or Python.
• Fundamental understanding of machine learning concepts and methodologies.
• Experience with data analysis and data visualization tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Self-motivated, with a willingness to challenge yourself and continuously develop technical capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research and development environment.
• Ability to perform work onsite in Santa Clara, California.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide proof of employment eligibility at hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with computer vision, perception systems, robotics, or autonomous driving technologies.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Familiarity with Linux and Robot Operating System (ROS).
• Knowledge of object detection, object tracking, semantic segmentation, or 3D perception algorithms.
• Experience analyzing large-scale sensor datasets from cameras, LiDAR, radar, or similar sensing systems.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and benchmark perception models using real-world autonomous vehicle data.
• Analyze model performance under varying environmental, traffic, and operational conditions.
• Develop validation methodologies, performance metrics, and reporting tools to assess system effectiveness.
• Collaborate with autonomous vehicle engineers and researchers on next-generation perception technologies.

Benefits

• Business Synergy Teams (ERGs) and opportunities to connect and build relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Professional training and development through innovation offerings, seminars, learning platforms, and leadership development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern