Senior Research Engineer – 3D Graphics Compression

Position Summary

Sony Corporation of America seeks a Senior Research Engineer for its U.S. Research Center in San Jose, CA to drive research in 3D image processing, computer graphics, and 3D image compression by creating, validating, and optimizing algorithms for structure from motion, point clouds, meshes, and new representations (e.g., NeRF and Gaussian splats), delivering reproducible results and efficient solutions for product integration.

Job Responsibilities

• Evaluate current and emerging 3D compression technologies.
• Deliver new 3D imaging concepts from initial design through product integration and market release.
• Validate capability and quality by performing feasibility studies and experimental evaluations.
• Design algorithm architectures and apply advanced engineering and mathematical principles to deliver robust implementations.
• Optimize algorithm performance across various platforms to achieve cross-platform performance targets.
• Define test procedures and evaluation methodologies to ensure consistent evaluation.
• Provide advanced technical expertise across design, development, and maintenance to sustain high-quality algorithms and software applications.
• Write code that improves or extends existing solutions to increase capability.
• Diagnose, debug, and resolve complex application issues to restore reliability.
• Develop new technical and domain expertise to improve outcomes and influence international standards.
• Document all phases of research and development to ensure reproducibility.
• Draft and file invention disclosures and collaborate with patent attorneys to secure intellectual property.
• Draft professional articles for technical journals as required to disseminate results.

Qualifications

• PhD (or MS with a minimum of 3 years of related experience) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in multi-view imaging, 3D image processing, 3D image compression, and computer graphics (e.g., publications, patents, open-source contributions, or shipped features).
• Research experience in point cloud, mesh, and/or Gaussian splats reconstruction and compression (e.g., peer-reviewed work, prototypes, or standards-related experimentation).
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python (e.g., production-quality code, performance profiling/optimization, and reproducible experimentation).
• Experience with machine learning libraries such as TensorFlow and/or PyTorch (e.g., experimentation, training/inference pipelines, or integrating learned components).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (e.g., clear technical writing, conference or internal talks, and cross-functional collaboration).
• Proficiency in Linux-based development environments.

Work Arrangement

Remote work can be considered after an extensive period of on-site training and may require monthly business trips to the head office.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage with coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits.
• Fertility benefits, including, surrogacy, and adoption assistance 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 to 12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave.
• 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with immediate vesting.
• Education assistance and student loan programs.
• 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).

Pay

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $150,000 to $160,000. In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of 10%.

Schedule

The schedule for this role is remote work after an extensive period of on-site training and may require monthly business trips to the head office.