AI Algorithm Engineer
Company Description
NestAI is a European physical AI lab building adaptive intelligence for unmanned systems, with a focus on defence and critical infrastructure. We develop mission-ready AI for real-world environments where reliability is non-negotiable.
At the core of what we build is an open, modular, and interoperable AI command foundation that integrates data from multiple sources — from UAV sensors and edge devices to situational intelligence platforms — and turns it into decision support and operational capability.
Rooted in Nordic engineering heritage, we focus on openness, reliability, and systems that earn trust through performance. We work with intent, iterate fast, and build technology that protects what matters most.
Role Description
We are looking for an AI Algorithm Engineer to join the AI / Algorithms Chapter at NestAI. You will design the core logic and decision-making frameworks that allow physical AI to navigate complex environments and execute tasks with precision. This is a high-math, high-logic role where you will bridge the gap between abstract control theory and high-performance execution on the edge.
You’ll work closely with our multidisciplinary teams — including embedded, cloud, and hardware engineers — to turn cutting-edge research into real, high-performance systems.
You will be responsible for developing algorithms, training and optimizing models, building scalable data pipelines, and integrating AI solutions into production environments.
Day-to-day Responsibilities:
Decision Logic & Control: Designing and implementing algorithms for sequential decision-making, path planning, or autonomous behavior.
Model Optimization: Developing custom training routines and loss functions to improve model robustness in non-deterministic physical environments.
Edge Performance: Collaborating with embedded teams to optimize non-vision models (e.g., RL policies, signal processing) for low-latency execution on hardware like NVIDIA Jetson.
Simulation & Validation: Creating high-fidelity simulations to train and stress-test algorithms before they ever touch physical hardware.
Cross-Domain Integration: Working with the CV team to ingest perception data and the Hardware team to output precise physical commands.
Applied Research: Adapting state-of-the-art papers in RL, GNNs, or Control Systems into production-ready code.
Qualifications:
ML Theory: Strong skills in machine learning theory and deep learning model development.
Technical Stack: Proficiency in Python and experience with frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
Deployment Knowledge: Understanding of data processing pipelines, model deployment, and performance optimization.
Engineering Standards: Experience with version control (Git), CI/CD, and Linux-based environments.
Environment Familiarity: Familiarity with modern computation or edge environments (e.g., GCP, AWS, Azure, SLURM, NVIDIA Jetson).
Problem Solving: Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail and a collaborative mindset.
Preferred Extras:
Algorithm Specialization: Experience in Reinforcement Learning (RL), Control Systems, or Sequential Decision Making.
Edge Use Cases: Understanding the unique constraints of physical AI (e.g., power consumption, latency, and "disconnected" environments).
Industry Experience: Previous experience working within or for DefSec (Defense & Security) companies.
Hardware-Aware AI: Experience with real-time inference optimization (e.g., TensorRT, quantization, or pruning) for hardware-constrained systems.
Low-level Skills: Proficiency in C++ or experience with custom CUDA kernels.
Why join NestAI
At NestAI, you’ll build meaningful, real-world technology as part of a world-class team of engineers, scientists, and experienced professionals. You’ll work on systems where reliability genuinely matters, contribute to Europe’s security and resilience, and solve problems that demand depth, trust, and craftsmanship.
If you want to build with purpose — and with leading experts in the field — you’ve come to the right place.
Perks & Benefits
We offer a growing set of practical benefits to support your work and wellbeing, day to day:
Occupational healthcare (currently provided by Mehiläinen)
Epassi Flex benefit (sports, culture, commuting, wellbeing)
Lunch benefit (25% tax-free coverage)
Regular team lunches and all-hands events
Your choice of Mac or PC
Holiday allowance (50% of holiday salary)
Phone benefit according to company policy (subscription and device)
We are continuously developing and expanding our benefits as we grow.
Practicalities
Employment is subject to applicable security screening (including SUPO, where required).
NestAI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants based on their skills, experience, and potential.
- Department
- AI / Algorithms
- Locations
- Helsinki, Tampere, Jyväskylä, Oulu, Turku
- Remote status
- Hybrid
About NestAI
Physical AI is moving from theory to reality. The systems being built today will shape how societies protect people, operate critical infrastructure, and respond under pressure for decades to come.
At NestAI, close to 100 engineers and scientists work at the intersection of software, hardware, and AI — developing autonomy, sensing, and command capabilities for mission-critical use. This isn’t demo work. It’s real systems, built for real environments.
We build in Europe, with open and interoperable architectures, so that critical capabilities can evolve over time without lock-in — and remain accountable to the societies they serve.