Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in Michigan

Mission Statement

At Michigan Engineering, we develop people-first engineers who will shape the world for the better. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies that address today's pressing challenges, power industries, and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement, enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

Job Summary

The Robotics Department in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor invites applications for one senior (tenure-track or tenured) faculty position in Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, offered through the University of Michigan Faculty Expansion Program. The successful candidate will join our mission to accelerate advances in robotics for the benefit of society. Candidates will have a relevant doctorate or equivalent experience and an outstanding record of achievement and impactful research in academia, industry, and/or at national laboratories. They will have a strong record of commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to providing service to the university and to the profession.

Rank is commensurate with experience, from promotion-ready assistant professor through full professor. We seek an outstanding scholar whose work advances the theory and practice of AI-driven embodied systems that collaborate with humans in physical environments.

This position is a cornerstone of a broader university initiative in Human-Centered and Human-Embodied AI (HCAI). This position will reside in the Robotics Department, with the intention of strengthening synergies with the School of Information and the potential to seed a future multi-unit research center. The position supports the University's Vision 2034 strategic priorities, which emphasize impactful research in health, education, sustainability, and human-centered technology.

An ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated record of expertise and scholarship that is deeply connected to leading robotics and AI research, student engagement and experiential learning, and the values of the Robotics Department. Research contributions are expected to focus on developing responsible embodied AI systems for seamless human collaboration in physical environments, for areas including AI alignment, human-robot interaction, foundational models, collaborative robotics, multimodal interaction, AR/VR interfaces, and cognitive models of human-AI joint action. A successful candidate will be expected to develop a vigorous, externally funded research program in human-centered and human-embodied AI.

Please see application instructions and further information at https://robotics.umich.edu/jobs/. Application review will begin on November 1, 2026 and will continue on a rolling basis. All applications submitted by December 15, 2026 will receive full consideration. If you have any questions regarding the search process, please contact robotics-faculty-search@umich.edu.

The University of Michigan is one of the world's leading research universities, with $2.16B in research expenditures (FY2025). Consistently ranked among the top research universities by US News and NSF, it has 19 schools and colleges, and the University is rich with opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary inquiry. The successful candidate will have access to Michigan's advanced robotics facilities and resources, opportunities to contribute to emerging research center development and industry partnerships, and support for technology transfer, spinoff companies, and licensable innovations.

We are located in Ann Arbor, MI, which is ranked the #1 U.S. City for Quality of Life by U.S. News and World Report (2024), #2 City with the Best Public Schools in America by Niche.com (2021), and #1 Best Places to Live for Families by Fortune (2022).

Employment will require a criminal background check and may require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. If an institutional reference check is necessary, candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure form as well as an authorization to release information form.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Qualifications*

• A relevant doctorate or equivalent experience.

• An outstanding record of achievement and impactful research in academia, industry, and/or at national laboratories.

• A strong record of commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• A strong record of providing service to the university and to the profession.

• Demonstrated experience and rank commensurate with a promotion-ready assistant professor through full professor level.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Underfill Statement

This position is posted as Associate Professor/Professor. The rank of the selected candidate will depend upon the candidate's qualifications.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

283509

Professor / Associate Professor in Human-Centered Embodied Artificial Intelligence (Robotics)

PROFESSOR

Ann Arbor Campus

Onsite

Full-Time

Regular

Exempt

College Engineering

CoE Robotics

9/25/2026 - 12/16/2026

Instructional - Regular