Sr. Research Engineer – AI/ML Image Processing & Computational Photography

Sony Corporation of America, located in New York, NY, is the U.S. headquarters of Sony Group Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. With some 900 million Sony devices in hands and homes worldwide today, a vast array of Sony movies, television shows and music, and the PlayStation Network, Sony creates and delivers more entertainment experiences to more people than anyone else on earth. To learn more:www.sony.com/en.
 

Department Overview  

Atthe Sony Corporation of AmericaUS R&D Laboratory,we transformbold ideas into extraordinary realities. Our engineers and scientists push boundaries through creativity and innovationto investigate emerging ideas, build prototypes, and advance solutions that reflect Sony’shighstandards for quality, performance, and design. Through this workwe strive to evoke Kando—the profound sense of excitement and satisfaction that comes from encountering something truly exceptional.  

Position Summary 

SonyCorporation of America currently has an opening for a Senior Research Engineer in our U.S.R&D Laboratorylocated in San Jose, CA, Culver City, CA,or as a remote employee. This positionis responsible for researching and developingnovelAI/ML-basedimage processing,computational photography, and computer visionalgorithmsfor Sony’s next-generation imaging products.  

In this role, you will apply advanced engineering and mathematical principles to develop core technologies that power Sony's digital imagingproducts. You will tackle problems of diverse scope, exercising strong judgment in selecting methods and techniques to reach solutions. You will take concepts from initial research through product integration,collaboratingwithproduct development and engineering teamsto uphold thehigh standards that define Sony’s imagingtechnologies.  

This role is being offered as a hybrid position (3 days in person) in San Jose, CA, Culver City, CA, or fully remote.Remote work can beconsidered afteranextensive period of on-sitetraining andmay requiremonthly business tripsto themain office.

Responsibilities: 

• Research, design, and develop novel AI/ML methods for image processing, computational photography, and computer vision applications thatadvance Sony’s portfolio of digital imaging products 

• Formulate research problems and apply sound experimental design across dataset creation,neural network architecturedevelopment,modeltrainingand evaluation 

• Conduct feasibility studies and rapidly prototype ideas tovalidate new concepts and assess their potential for commercialization 

• Benchmark algorithm performance againststate-of-the-art methods and iteratively improve accuracy, efficiency, and robustness 

• Conduct literature reviews, attend academic and industry conferences, and report on emerging trends toidentify promising areas for technology development 

• Documentmethodology, experimental results, and technical designs throughoutall phases of research and development. Regularly communicate findings toresearchers andengineers in the US and Japan. 

• Draft invention disclosures and collaborate with patent attorneys to secure intellectual property 

• Draft andsubmit professional articles for technical journals asrequired 

• Occasional travel toJapan to conduct in-person meetings 

Qualifications: 

• PhDinComputer Science,Electrical Engineering,Computer Engineering,Applied Mathematics, Physics, or relatedfield.Exceptional candidates with an MS and 3+ years of related experience may be considered 

• Strong fundamentals and practical experiencedeveloping deep learning, machine learning, and/or AI algorithms fromthe ground up,includingproblem formulation, dataset design, architecturedevelopment, training, and evaluation 

• Strong fundamentalsinsignal processingand statistical modeling is a plus 

• Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following:imageand/orvideo processing, camera ISP,computational photography,low-levelcomputervision, orcomputer vision 

• Exceptional researchskills, includinga track record of peer-reviewed publications, and the ability tocriticallyevaluate the latest published works 

• A rigorous approach to experimental design and hypothesis testing 

• Ability torapidly prototypenew ideas toassesstheirtechnicalmerit 

• Proficient in Python andPyTorch, orasimilarML framework.Familiarity withC/C++ and Linux 

• Excellentwritten and verbal communicationskills  

• Curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to tackle challenging problems 

We are committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for you to thrive as part of Sony’s purpose to “fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.”   

Benefits:     

SCA offers benefits-eligible employees (generally regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week) a comprehensive benefits program that offers coverage and support for employees and their family’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being.    

 What we offer you:  

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coveragewith coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)   

• Employeeassistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits  

• Fertility benefits, including, surrogacy, and adoptionassistance programs    

• Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees as well as supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/domestic partners and children   

• Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance   

• Short-term & long-term disability plans    

• Up to12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave    

• 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with immediate vesting  

• Educationassistance and student loan programs     

Other Programs:   

• Flexible Work Arrangements, including remote and hybrid work schedules

• Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year’s Day (based on business needs)  

• Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility)    

• Matching gift program    

• A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs)    

• Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees  

• Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for your Sony stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions)    

Theanticipated annual base salary for this position is $150,000 to $165,000.In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of 10%.This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.  

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SCA will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.   

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Corporation of America

Sony Corporation of America provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email atcareers@sonyusa.com or by mail to: Sony Corporation of America, People Experience Department, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Please indicate the position you are applying for.

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