AR/VR Frontend Programmer

Position Description

Job Category
Fulltime Temporary

ExemptOvertimeEligible
Overtime Eligible

Benefits Eligible
Benefit Based

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Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST) is seeking a highly motivated AR/VR Frontend Programmer to advance research in human-machine interaction, immersive visualization, and simulation. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with faculty, researchers, and graduate students to design, develop, and maintain cutting-edge AR/VR applications that facilitate novel methodologies for interacting with complex robotic systems and data.

Essential Job Duties

• Front-end Software Development
  • Design, develop, and maintain AR/VR frontend applications tailored for academic research projects.
  • Build user-friendly, immersive interfaces that support experimentation, robust data visualization, and the teleoperation of robotic platforms.
  • Collaborate with robotics engineers to seamlessly integrate 3D models, simulation data, and real-time sensor streams into interactive spatial environments.
  • Write modular, testable code; address software defects; and continuously optimize rendering pipelines and interactions to ensure performance, usability, and scalability.
• Experimentation & Prototyping
  • Rapidly prototype and adapt to evolving research needs by creating robust proof-of-concepts.
  • Evaluate and adapt emerging AR/VR frameworks, development tools, and hardware SDKs for academic research applications.
  • Design and execute user studies to assess human-machine interactions and interface efficacy.
  • Establish architectural patterns for reuse, including comprehensive design systems and utility libraries, to streamline future development.
• Reporting & Documentation
  • Maintain thorough documentation of software architecture, system components, and release notes.
  • Produce regular progress updates and prepare high-quality demonstration materials for stakeholders.
  • Actively contribute to research publications by documenting technical developments and generating accurate visualizations.
  • Provide technical mentorship and support to students working on the AR/VR components of broader robotics projects.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related field.
• Strong programming proficiency in C#, C++, or Python.
• Hands-on experience with foundational AR/VR development platforms, such as Unity3D or Unreal Engine.
• Familiarity with standard AR/VR hardware ecosystems (e.g., Meta Quest, Microsoft HoloLens) and their respective SDKs.
• A solid foundational understanding of 3D graphics, rendering pipelines, and spatial interaction design.
• Experience utilizing version control systems (e.g., Git) in a collaborative development environment.
• Exceptional problem-solving capabilities, accompanied by strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of 3D modeling workflows and asset optimization techniques.
• A formal background or strong academic interest in human-machine interaction.
• A proven ability to rapidly prototype solutions and adapt flexibly to the dynamic needs of an academic research environment.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$27.75 to $32.00 per hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.