Winter 2025

Intern: Reinforcement/Imitation Learning

Posted on 10/31/2025

Sanctuary AI

Sanctuary AI

51-200 employees

General-purpose humanoid robots with autonomous control

No salary listed

Vancouver, BC, Canada

In Person

Category
AI & Machine Learning (6)
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Requirements
  • Experience implementing a variety of RL and IL methods with a focus in a specialization such as computer vision or robotics
  • Hands-on experience integrating ML models onto a robotics platform
  • Experience implementing and deploying (dexterous) robotic manipulation tasks in simulation and on physical robots
  • Experience taking ML R&D and trained models into production
  • Experience with computer vision systems
  • Experience in simulation-to-reality transfer learning
  • Development with Python 3.6 or later
  • Working knowledge of PyTorch and/or JAX
  • Familiarity with ROS2
  • Extensive knowledge of RL/IL principles and use
  • Experience with Atlassian tools; Jira, Confluence, or equivalent e.g. GitLab
Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and improve state-of-the-art Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Imitation Learning (IL) algorithms and test them in real-world settings
  • Keep up to date with state-of-the-art RL/IL methodologies and robotics
  • Identify, communicate, and drive promising research directions to the team
  • Find ways of improving existing implementations of RL/IL pipelines with regards to standard metrics such as sample efficiency, speed, computational resource usage, and scalability
  • Design RL/IL training and data-collection pipelines to facilitate fast deployment on physical robots
  • Work with a multidisciplinary team to develop novel algorithms and investigate sources of errors with existing implementations
Desired Qualifications
  • Pursuing MS or Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Applied Math, or related field
  • Experience implementing a variety of RL and IL methods with a focus in a specialization such as computer vision or robotics
  • Hands-on experience integrating ML models onto a robotics platform
  • Experience implementing and deploying (dexterous) robotic manipulation tasks in simulation and on physical robots
  • Experience taking ML R&D and trained models into production
  • Experience with computer vision systems
  • Experience in simulation-to-reality transfer learning

Sanctuary AI is a developer of general-purpose humanoid robots designed to work alongside humans in business settings. Its flagship robot Phoenix, powered by the Carbon AI control system, can observe, assess, and carry out tasks when instructed, either autonomously or under remote piloting or human supervision. The product combines a versatile humanoid platform with an AI core that enables task automation and safe collaboration with people. Unlike many robotics players, Sanctuary AI emphasizes a single, general-purpose robot capable of handling a broad range of tasks across industries, aided by training programs to integrate Phoenix into existing workflows. The company positions itself in the AI and robotics market by selling Phoenix robots to organizations and offering ongoing training to ensure safe, effective operation. Their goal is to improve workplace efficiency and safety by deploying adaptable robots that can automate tasks while working alongside human workers.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$88.5M

Headquarters

Vancouver, Canada

Founded

2018

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Secured $140M funding from BDC Capital and InBC to scale Phoenix production.
  • Addresses labor shortages by deploying millions in automotive, manufacturing, logistics.
  • Phoenix named in TIME’s Best Inventions 2023 for workplace efficiency.

What critics are saying

  • Boston Dynamics and Tesla Optimus scale production faster, capturing market share.
  • Figure AI achieves superior dexterity via vision-only, commoditizing tactile IP.
  • Geordie Rose's CEO exit erodes investor confidence and partnerships.

What makes Sanctuary AI unique

  • Sanctuary AI ranks fourth globally in patents for general-purpose robotics and dexterous manipulation.
  • Phoenix robots feature Carbon™ AI system and new tactile sensors for precise manipulation.
  • IP portfolio emphasizes touch and grasping technologies for industrial-grade humanoids.

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Benefits

Medical, dental, & vision insurance

Wellness programs

Stock options

PTO

Schedule flexibility

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
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Nexera Robotics, based in Vancouver, secured $4.5 million from BDC Capital’s Industrial Innovation Venture Fund, Defined, and RiSC Capital. The funding will be used for research, development, and market expansion of its NeuraGrasp technology, which enhances robotic grasping in dynamic environments. The round included undisclosed backers.

The Robot Report
Feb 26th, 2025
Sanctuary Ai Integrates Tactile Sensors Into Phoenix General Purpose Robots

The Phoenix humanoid robot has tactile sensors for improved teleoperation. Source: Sanctuary AI. One challenge of building general-purpose and humanoid robots is training them for dexterous manipulation. Sanctuary AI today announced that it has integrated new tactile sensors into its Phoenix robots. This will enable teleoperated pilots to more effectively conduct complex, touch-driven tasks with precision and accuracy, said the company. “Without tactile sensing, robots depend on video to interact with their environment,” noted Dr

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Feb 24th, 2025
Ai-Powered Robots Advance In General Tasks In A Crowded Market

The dream of having robots do household chores inched a little closer to reality last week. Figure, an OpenAI-backed robotics artificial intelligence (AI) startup, showed off humanoid robots that can understand voice commands and can grab objects they had never seen before. In a Figure video, a guy holding a bag of groceries starts unloading eggs, apple, ketchup, cheese, cookies and other items on a counter

Akabo Media
Dec 30th, 2024
Sanctuary AI unveils new tactile sensor technology to enhance robot dexterity

Sanctuary AI, a developer of human-like intelligence for general-purpose robots, has introduced a new generation of tactile sensor technology designed to improve dexterous manipulation in robots.

PR Newswire
Dec 19th, 2024
Sanctuary Ai New Tactile Sensors Enable Richer Sense Of Touch

Sanctuary is focused on achieving human-level dexterity for general purpose robots to perform high value tasks in the workplace. This requires a delicate—but durable—sense of touch to efficiently complete tasks with precision. Our team of industry-leading experts in tactile sensing have identified and met the requirements needed to build compliant, sensitive, and durable sensors at low manufacturing costs. "We know a sense of touch to be critical for dexterity," said Dr. Jeremy Fishel, Principal Researcher at Sanctuary AI. "The challenge is in developing tactile sensing technology with the right blend of features and durability to unlock dexterous manipulation and high-performance training data

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