Senior Staff Engineer, Autonomy - Tactical Behaviors (R4073)
Designs and implements tactical autonomy algorithms and high-performance software for unmanned systems across air, land, and sea domains, integrating classical methods with reinforcement learning. Requires 10+ years experience in robotics, C++/Python proficiency, and DoD-relevant unmanned tech.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Design tactical autonomy algorithms for unmanned aircraft across air, land, and sea domains with minimal human supervision.
- Develop high-performance software modules for planning, decision-making, and behavior execution in dynamic environments.
- Implement and test behavior architectures for multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability.
- Integrate classical autonomy with machine learning methods like reinforcement learning.
- Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight test teams.
- Deploy to real platforms, participate in field tests and flight demos.
- Analyze mission logs to optimize behaviors.
- Contribute to R&D, roadmap, and prototype new algorithms.
- Support defense programs and adapt to mission needs.
- Travel 10-15% for offices, customer sites, and events.
Requirements
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
- 10+ years experience (BS), 9+ (MS), 7+ (PhD), or equivalent.
- Proficiency in C++, Python, familiarity with RTOS.
- Background in robotics: motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, autonomous systems.
- Experience with unmanned systems (air domain) and algorithms.
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS).
- Strong problem-solving, communication, teamwork.
- Ability to obtain SECRET clearance.
Preferred
- ML/RL in autonomy.
- Collaborative behaviors, swarm robotics, distributed decision-making.
- Tactical behaviors for DoD unmanned systems.
- Behaviors across air, ground, maritime.
- Flight demos or live exercises.
- UCI, OMS Standards.
Skills
C++, Python, Rtos, Motion Planning, Reinforcement Learning, Afsim, Ngts, ROS, Simulation Tools, Machine Learning
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