Director, AI / Perception

San Francisco, California

Full-time

Job Description

This job posting has expired and no longer accepting applications.

Who we are

The problem: Every minute matters in fire response. As climate change amplifies the intensity of wildfires—with longer fire seasons, dryer fuels, and faster winds—new ignitions spread faster and put more communities at risk. Today, most wildfires are detected by bystanders and reported via 911, meaning it can take hours to detect a fire, verify its exact location and size, and dispatch first responders. Fire authorities need a faster way to detect, confirm, and pinpoint fires so that they can quickly respond—preventing small flare-ups from becoming devastating infernos.

About Pano: Pano AI is a 90-person growth stage start-up, headquartered in San Francisco, that is the leader in early wildfire detection and intelligence, helping fire professionals respond to fires faster and more safely—with the right equipment, timely information, and enhanced coordination—so that they can stop a new ignition before it grows. Pano AI combines advanced hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into an easy-to-use, web-based platform. Leveraging a network of ultra-high-definition, 360-degree cameras atop high vantage points, as well as satellite and other data feeds, Pano AI produces a real-time picture of threats in a geographic region and delivers immediate, actionable intelligence.

Fast Company named Pano AI one of the Top 10 most innovative companies in AI of 2023. Pano AI has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NBC News, and a national TV commercial produced by strategic partner T-Mobile. With dozens of government and enterprise customers, its reach extends across 10 states in the U.S., five states in Australia, and BC, Canada, helping protect more than 20 million acres of land. Backed by $45M in venture capital funding, investors include Congruent Ventures, Initialized Capital, Salesforce Ventures, T-Mobile Ventures, and Valor Equity Partners. Learn more at https://www.pano.ai/.

The Role

We are seeking a director or an experienced manager to lead the AI / Perception Team responsible for developing and improving our computer vision-based fire detection and localization systems. This team is core to the Pano Rapid Detect product that detects wildfires in real time. This leader will drive a range of research and development initiatives to support improving KPIs related to our core product, as well as developing AI, Computer Vision, and satellite models for a range of new applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computer vision, machine learning, and team leadership.

The Role

Final salary offered is based upon multiple factors, including individual job-related qualifications, education, experience, knowledge, skills and location. In addition to salary, this position is also eligible for stock options. We offer comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, unlimited paid time off, and matching 401k.

What you’ll do

Lead a team of computer vision engineers and AI researchers working on fire detection and geolocation algorithms.

Establish performance metrics and testing protocols to evaluate system accuracy, reliability, and latency.

Work with product management and the labeling team to collect, annotate, and curate diverse fire imagery datasets across various environmental conditions.

Develop and improve methods for spatial reasoning, improving the speed and accuracy of geolocation algorithms.

Coordinate with product management and managers of the Pano Intelligence Center to ensure that the end-to-end detection and localization process is effective.

Stay current with state-of-the-art research in computer vision, particularly in detection of anomalies in natural environments.

Ensure robust performance across challenging conditions (night, partial visibility, varying weather).

Write industry whitepapers showcasing the customer benefits of our key technical systems.

What you’ll bring

PhD with focus on computer vision or machine learning, or a Masters combined with experience in applied research.

7+ years of industry experience in AI research and development, with at least 3 years specifically focused on computer vision.

At least 5 years in a leadership role.

Experience selecting and driving applied research projects to impact key metrics like detection time and location accuracy.

Experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) and common computer vision libraries (OpenCV).

Preferred Skills

Experience with 3D computer-vision and geometry related problems.

Experience with geospatial data processing systems / GIS.

Experience with satellite data / remote sensing

Pano is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and supporting our team-members regardless of where they come from. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Who we are