# Senior Autonomy Engineer

**Company:** [NODA AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/noda-ai)
**Location:** Austin, TX
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Experience:** 6+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Rust, zenoh, mqtt, dds, motion planning, navigation, control systems, sensor fusion, behavior trees, gazebo, isaac sim, airsim, mavlink
**Posted:** 2026-08-13

> Develops and validates the autonomy stack for adaptive orchestration of heterogeneous UAV, USV, and UUV fleets. The role requires 6+ years in autonomy or robotics, strong C++ and Python skills, experience with planning, navigation, middleware, simulation, and eligibility for a security clearance.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Design and implement autonomy modules including path planning, task allocation, behavior trees, and reactive execution models.
- Develop and maintain the autonomy framework integrating AI-driven mission planning and world modeling.
- Ensure AI-generated plans are executable, explainable, and safe across multi-domain robotic platforms.
- Implement and validate navigation, control, and autonomy behaviors for UAVs, USVs, and UUVs using event-driven middleware and simulation environments.
- Profile and optimize autonomy performance for edge-compute hardware such as Jetson and Raspberry Pi-class devices.
- Conduct simulation-in-loop and hardware-in-loop testing before live field deployment.
- Contribute to safety, reliability, and compliance practices for defense-relevant missions.
- Collaborate with AI, networking, and systems engineering teams on multi-vehicle operations.

## Requirements
- 6+ years of experience developing autonomy or robotics systems.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python for real-time autonomy development.
- Strong hands-on experience with event-driven or publish-subscribe middleware such as Zenoh, MQTT, or DDS.
- Background in motion planning, navigation, and control systems.
- Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, and autonomy validation.
- Familiarity with behavior trees, task allocation, or symbolic planners.
- Knowledge of simulation environments such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or AirSim.
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance.

## Nice-to-haves
- Rust proficiency for systems-level and real-time autonomy development.
- Experience with multi-agent coordination and swarm robotics.
- Exposure to UAV, UUV, and USV domains.
- Familiarity with MAVLink, JAUS, or STANAG 4586.
- Background in AI planning, reinforcement learning, or constraint solvers.
- Experience optimizing autonomy for embedded and real-time performance.
- Prior defense or aerospace autonomy experience.
- Contributions to open-source robotics or autonomy projects.

## Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
- Equity grants for new hires.
- Unlimited PTO and 11 paid holidays.
- Generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November and December.
- Generous parental leave and military leave.
- FSA, dependent care FSA, and HSA options.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Access to One Medical.
- 24/7 mental health resources, including therapy and legal and financial support.
- Competitive salary and opportunities for career growth.

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