Chinese Humanoid Robot Maker UBTech Offers $18M to Hire Chief AI Scientist
April 6, 2026 - 12:51 pm
UBTech, a Chinese humanoid robotics company, is offering an annual salary ranging from $2.2 million to $18 million for their Chief Scientist of Embodied Intelligence role. This substantial package was confirmed by the Global Times and described by Bloomberg as unusual even within China's standards.
Key Points:
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Role Overview: The Chief Scientist will be responsible for setting UBTech's technology roadmap, acting as the 'helmsman' of their technical path. They will lead research in vision-language-action models, robotics foundation models, and manipulation dexterity capabilities to accelerate large-scale deployment across various sectors.
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Company Background: Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Shenzhen, UBTech became the world's first publicly listed humanoid robot maker traded in Hong Kong. Their primary product is the Walker S2, a 5'9" autonomous humanoid robot designed for factory operations.
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Financial Performance: UBTech reported 2025 revenue of 2.01 billion yuan (around $304 million), a 53.3% year-on-year increase. Humanoid products and services specifically contributed 820.6 million yuan (around $124 million) to this total, a twenty-fold jump from the previous year.
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Hiring Push: As part of their broader hiring drive, UBTech is also seeking reinforcement learning algorithm engineers, hardware engineers, and EtherCAT master system developers. The job posting emphasizes open-mindedness, stating they don't care about passports, age, or gender, and simply ask, "Can you define the future?"
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Industry Trends: This move comes at a pivotal time for China's humanoid robot industry, which is receiving explicit government support. Premier Li Qiang has included robotics in the government work report for two consecutive years, and Chinese companies dominated global humanoid robot shipments in 2025, accounting for nearly 90% according to research firm Omdia.
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Competition: UBTech's efforts echo Tesla's recent move to assemble a team of AI specialists for its Optimus humanoid program. The competition for AI talent is intensifying as the focus shifts from large language models to embodied intelligence.
In 2026, UBTech's ambitious hiring offer goes beyond monetary compensation. They seek a Chief Scientist who can not only steer their technological direction but also contribute to shaping the future of embodied intelligence. This role is crucial as UBTech aims to integrate their robots into various sectors, from manufacturing to healthcare. The company's focus on open-mindedness and diverse perspectives reflects a growing industry trend, mirroring Tesla's efforts in assembling a diverse AI team for their Optimus program. With government support and rapidly advancing technology, the humanoid robot industry is poised for significant growth, making UBTech's move a strategic one in this competitive landscape. This hiring push signals a commitment to staying at the forefront of robotics innovation, with the potential to redefine the role of AI in shaping our future. Read the full article