PhD in Robotics/ML, getting interviews but no offers. Any advice?

I recently defended my PhD dissertation in Computer Science with a focus on robotics (UAVs) and machine learning (Predictive AI), and I will officially graduate on August 8.

I have been applying for full-time roles in robotics, autonomy, ML, and related areas for several months now. The confusing part is that I have been able to get interviews with some pretty well-known companies like Meta, Apple, Waymo, Zoox, Zipline, and a few others. In some cases, I made it to the virtual onsite stage, but I wasn't able to convert those interviews into offers.

At the same time, I rarely hear back from smaller companies or startups. Most of my interview activity has come from larger companies, which feels a bit strange.

A little about my background:

• PhD in CS focused on robotics and ML
• Multiple publications from my PhD research
• Some leadership experience in a small robotics research lab outside the US
• No internship experience at all.
• Comfortable with coding, but my background is more research-oriented than software engineering-oriented
• Strong theoretical understanding of robotics and machine learning, but obviously there are many industry skills that can only be learned by actually working in industry
• International candidate who will require sponsorship in the future (at least on OPT)

Lately I have been feeling stuck. Every time I get an interview, I think maybe this will be the one, and then it ends with another rejection after the onsite. Logically I know making it to onsite interviews means I am doing something right, but after enough rejections it's hard not to start questioning everything.

I am also married and have young kids, so the uncertainty is becoming more stressful as graduation gets closer.

I am trying to understand what I might be missing.

For people who have been in a similar situation, or who are involved in hiring:

• If someone consistently reaches onsite interviews but doesn't get offers, what are the most common reasons?
• How can I figure out whether the problem is coding interviews, system design, behavioral interviews, communication, or something else?
• Why would larger companies be willing to interview me while smaller companies mostly ignore my applications?
• Does my profile sound like someone who is "too academic" for industry roles?
• What would you focus on improving if you were in my position?

I am looking for honest feedback and advice. Just trying to understand how to navigate this stage of my career and what I should be doing differently. Its very difficult time with a lot of uncertainty. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks.