Autonomy Capabilities Engineer

Job Description

Description

On-site in either San Diego, CA or Washington, DC or Boston, MA or San Mateo, CA\n
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\nOur client seeks an autonomy capabilities engineer to design and integrate tactical autonomy for unmanned systems across air, land, and sea domains. The role spans control laws, motion planning, multi-agent behaviors, and real-world software integration. You will deliver performant C++/Python modules, validate in simulation and flight demos, and collaborate across perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight test. You will analyze mission data, support defense-focused programs, and contribute to the autonomy roadmap blending classical techniques with optimization and learning methods.\n
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Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $70.00 to $120.00/hr. w2\n
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\nJN -102026-108913\n
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Responsibilities

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• Design tactical autonomy algorithms enabling unmanned aircraft to execute complex missions with minimal supervision.

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• Develop high-performance software modules for planning, decision-making, and behavior execution in dynamic, adversarial environments.

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• Implement behavior architectures for multi-agent coordination, target engagement, reconnaissance, and survivability.

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• Integrate classical autonomy with learning-based methods such as reinforcement learning.

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• Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and flight test teams for seamless platform integration.

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• Deploy autonomy capabilities to real platforms and participate in field tests and flight demos.

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• Analyze mission logs and performance data to diagnose issues and optimize behavior models.

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• Research and prototype new algorithms and contribute to capability roadmaps.

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• Support defense-focused programs and adapt solutions to evolving mission and compliance needs.

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• Travel approximately 10–15% to offices, customer sites, and integration events.
  
  

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Experience Requirements

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• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, or similar, or equivalent experience.

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• Typically 10+ years with a Bachelor’s, 9+ with a Master’s, or 7+ with a PhD, or equivalent work experience.

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• Proficiency in C++ and Python; familiarity with RTOS.

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• Background in robotics for motion planning, behavior modeling, decision-making, or autonomous system design.

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• Experience with unmanned systems and air-domain autonomy algorithms.

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• Experience with AFSIM and NGTS or similar simulation environments.

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• Strong troubleshooting and performance optimization skills.

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• Effective communication and collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.

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• Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

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• Preferred: ML/RL in autonomy pipelines, collaborative behaviors or swarm robotics, DoD tactical behaviors, cross-domain behaviors, flight demos or live exercises, and familiarity with UCI and OMS standards.
  
  

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Education Requirements

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• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar, or equivalent practical experience.

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