Aerospace Simulation Graduate Assistant - Spring 2027 - ATAS

Georgia Tech Research Institute; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) in Atlanta, GA, seeks a Graduate Assistant to assist in R&D of a native C++ Unreal Engine plugin simulating ArduPilot flight conditions and demonstrating baselines aligned with open-source documentation.

The role offers 10–20 hours per week for a funded project; you will work with the Aerospace, Transportation and Advanced Systems Laboratory and may contribute to PX4 demonstrations and real-time system comparisons.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech.
• Must be registered for at least 3+ credit hours.
• GPA 3.0 or higher.
• Experience with ArduPilot or Unreal Engine development.

Responsibilities

• Assist in R&D of a native C++ Unreal Engine plugin simulating flight conditions for ArduPilot airplanes.
• Establish baseline demonstrations matching open-source ArduPilot documentation.
• Potentially establish PX4 demonstrations and compare real-time system performance.

Skills

ArduPilot

Unreal Engine

C++

Linux

Education

Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering

3.0 GPA or higher

Job description

Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

• 1. Students are our top priority.
• 2. We strive for excellence.
• 3. We thrive on diversity.
• 4. We celebrate collaboration.
• 5. We champion innovation.
• 6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
• 7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
• 8. We act ethically.
• 9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Job Description

The Aerospace, Transportation and Advanced Systems Laboratory is seeking a Aerospace Simulation Graduate Assistant starting Spring 2027. The Graduate Assistant will assist in the research and development of a native C++ Unreal Engine plugin simulating as realistic as possible conditions for ArduPilot airplanes and establishing baseline demonstrations matching open-source ArduPilot documentation. The Graduate Assistant may also assist in establishing identical PX4 demonstrations, and comparing and contrasting real time system performance.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Graduate Assistant

• Pursuing a Master's or PhD degree at Georgia Tech in Aerospace Engineering
• Must be registered for at least 3+ credit hours with your university
• 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
• Demonstrated experience with ArduPilot or Unreal Engine development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with C++
• Flight guidance, navigation, and controls
• Sensor fusion & state estimation
• Familiarity with Linux
• Game engine development

Hours per Week

10–20 hours per week

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Not Applicable

Clearance Type Required

None

Housing and Relocation

Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.