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

At the Sony Corporation of America US R&D Laboratory, we transform bold ideas into extraordinary realities. Our engineers and scientists push boundaries through creativity and innovation to investigate emerging ideas, build prototypes, and advance solutions that reflect Sony’s high standards for quality, performance, and design. Through this work we strive to evoke Kando—the profound sense of excitement and satisfaction that comes from encountering something truly exceptional.

Position Summary

Sony Corporation of America currently has an opening for a Senior Research Engineer in our U.S. R&D Laboratory located in San Jose, CA, Culver City, CA, or as a remote employee. This position is responsible for researching and developing novel AI/ML-based image processing, computational photography, and computer vision algorithms for 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 imaging products. 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, collaborating with product development and engineering teams to uphold the high standards that define Sony’s imaging technologies.

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

Responsibilities:

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

• Formulate research problems and apply sound experimental design across dataset creation, neural network architecture development, model training and evaluation

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

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

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

• Document methodology, experimental results, and technical designs throughout all phases of research and development. Regularly communicate findings to researchers and engineers in the US and Japan.

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

• Draft and submit professional articles for technical journals as required

• Occasional travel to Japan to conduct in-person meetings

Qualifications:

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

• Strong fundamentals and practical experience developing deep learning, machine learning, and/or AI algorithms from the ground up, including problem formulation, dataset design, architecture development, training, and evaluation

• Strong fundamentals in signal processing and statistical modeling is a plus

• Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following: image and/or video processing, camera ISP, computational photography, low-level computer vision, or computer vision

• Exceptional research skills, including a track record of peer-reviewed publications, and the ability to critically evaluate the latest published works

• A rigorous approach to experimental design and hypothesis testing

• Ability to rapidly prototype new ideas to assess their technical merit

• Proficient in Python and PyTorch, or a similar ML framework. Familiarity with C/C++ and Linux

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• 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 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    

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)   

The anticipated 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 at careers@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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