Robotics and Autonomous Control Systems Engineer-Technical Staff

Position Description

Research and development topics utilized during physical prototype development or novel internally-funded research may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Feedback control, state estimation, and system identification of dynamical systems
• Modeling and fusion of sensors (e.g., GPS, IMU, LIDAR)
• Path-planning and scheduling algorithms for one or more agents
• SLAM in dynamic environments with sensor and communication constraints
• Computer vision; image and video processing
• Verification and validation of autonomous behaviors
• Modeling, simulation, and analysis of complex dynamical systems
• Human-machine teaming and collaboration

Hands-on team-based experience, a driven and self-motivated attitude, an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of one or more of the above topics, and a highly-skilled software engineering background are critically important to the role. The successful candidate is expected to collaborate well within teams of various sizes, maintain expertise in the field by attending research conferences and by staying current to relevant literature, mentor less-experienced staff, think critically and creatively about challenging problems, and communicate designs and results clearly to both internal peers and external program sponsors.

The successful candidate will assume significant responsibility for delivering novel capabilities of national significance. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with unique advanced sensors, communication systems, and unmanned platforms. The candidate will be supported with first-rate hardware, test infrastructure, talented peers, and a work environment that values excellence, continuous learning, and work-life balance.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in an engineering-related discipline (e.g., mechanical or electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics) with coursework and research emphasis on autonomous systems. In lieu of a Ph.D., an M.S. degree with 3+ years of experience conducting and publishing applied research in a robotics-related field
• Successful completion of complex hands-on projects involving autonomous or robotic systems operating in real-world environments
• Experience developing software in a collaborative, structured, and process-driven environment
• Knowledge of software engineering best practices
• Strong programming skills in a multi-threaded systems language (e.g., C++, Rust), a scripting language (e.g., Python), and a data analysis language (e.g., Julia, MATLAB)
• Experience with a software version control system
• Experience developing and publishing high-quality robotics and autonomous systems research
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong self-motivation, demonstrated ability for independent work

Additional Desired Skills (not required):

• Experience with Robot Operating System (ROS & ROS2)
• Experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch)
• Experience with simulation environments (e.g., Gazebo)
• Experience writing low-level hardware drivers in Linux

Job Type – Primarily onsite with appropriate remote work possible.

Successful candidates will be submitted for Top Secret Clearance for future program needs.

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