Research Engineer

New Zealand Government Joba; Christchurch, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Canterbury seeks a Research Engineer to advance autonomous robotics research. You will bridge academic findings with robust software engineering, building algorithms for navigation, perception, control, and sensor fusion across diverse platforms.

You will write substantial code, document work, and test in simulation environments like Unreal Engine and SITL/HITL, working with a team including Auckland University collaborators.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science (NZQA Level 10) and at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.
• Extensive experience as a Software Engineer or Developer Programmer, with strong coding, testing and maintenance practices.
• Proven expertise in AI approaches for autonomous navigation and tool use on ground, aerial and underwater platforms.
• Strong data analysis skills and a track record of technical publications and presentations.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Autonomously apply tools on robot platforms (ground-based, aerial, underwater).
• Develop and evaluate cutting-edge algorithms for robot navigation, manipulation, vision, control, and sensor fusion.
• Identify limitations of existing autonomic frameworks and design software strategies to overcome them.
• Write, update and maintain program code and technical documentation; extend open-source autopilot platforms (ArduPilot, PX4).
• Test and debug in high-fidelity simulations (Unreal Engine, SITL/HITL) to ensure correct performance.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS/ROS2

AI navigation

Data analysis

Communication

Publications

Education

PhD in Computer Science

Tools

ArduPilot

PX4

Unreal Engine

SITL/HITL

Job description

# Research Engineer at University of Canterbury, Canterbury## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this roleTe Tari Pūhanga Pūmanawa Rorohiko | Computer Science and Software Engineering Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand* Full-time 37.5 hours per week* Fixed term (1 year) position* Salary is $80,000 p.a.*Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!**He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Research Engineer Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.***Āu Mahi | What You Will Do**Computer Science and Software Engineeringhave an opportunity for a Research Engineer to participate in a research project, *autonomously using tools on robot platforms (ground-based, aerial, underwater).*We seek a highly motivated individual with a research background in AI approaches for automating navigation and autonomous tool use on ground-based, aerial and underwater platforms.In this role you will bridge academic research and rigorous software engineering. You will be responsible for researching, consulting, analysing, and evaluating system program needs to develop cutting-edge algorithms for robotic manipulators, robotic navigation, computer vision, control algorithms, and sensor fusion. You will identify technology limitations and deficiencies in existing autonomous frameworks and design software strategies to overcome them. A significant portion of your daily work will involve writing, maintaining, and documenting program code to meet system designs and technical specifications for ground-based, aerial, and underwater platforms. This includes integrating, extending, and customizing open-source autopilot platforms (such as ArduPilot and PX4). You will rigorously test, debug, diagnose, and correct errors in your code and within high-fidelity simulation environments (e.g., Unreal Engine, SITL/HITL) to ensure the autonomous applications perform exactly to specification and quality standards. Furthermore, you will be expected to write, update, and maintain technical program and end-user documentation, and provide expertise and guidance in developing software design strategies for the broader research team.You will applicant will be mentored by Professor Richard Green and located within the Computer Science and Software Engineering. The position will also involve extensive collaboration with project partners at Auckland University.**Mōu | Who You Are**To be successful in this position you will ideally have the following:* A PhD in Computer Science (NZQA Level 10) in the field of Computer Vision and at least 10 years relevant industry experience* Extensive experience as a Software Engineer or Developer Programmer, specifically writing, maintaining, and testing complex program code (e.g., C++, Python, ROS/ROS2)* A strong track record of writing and maintaining technical program documentation and operational procedures.* Expertise and experience in using AI approaches for automating navigation and tool use on aerial drones, underwater drones and other platforms* Strong quantitative and data analysis skills* A publication track record as well as experience with preparation and delivery of quality oral presentations to a wide range of audiences is essential* A proven ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts (both orally and in writing) to a wide variety or groups including scientific and non-scientific audiences* The ability to work creatively and independently.**Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With**For information about our School and team, please visit us here - Computer Science and Software Engineering department | UC**Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC**The University of Canterbury is committed to accessible higher education, service to community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit www.canterbury.ac.nzWe offer a range of benefits, for information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc**The closing date for this position is: 8 October 2026 (midnight, NZ time)***Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.***Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply**Applications for this position must be submitted on our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume. Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [e-mail] further information specifically about the role, please contact: [e-mail] to discuss the opportunities associated with this position.