Autonomous UAV ML Systems Engineer

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc.; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k) match

ESOP

Job summary

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) invites a Machine Learning Systems Engineer (UAS) to advance unmanned navigation, autonomous control, and AI edge processing in Colorado Springs.

Join a multidisciplinary team developing flight controllers, sensors, and AI-enabled perception for DoD/DoE programs. You will collaborate across hardware, software, and AI disciplines, configure PX4/ArduPilot, tune control loops, and deploy AI models on NVIDIA Jetson platforms in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Configure and integrate flight controllers running PX4 or ArduPilot with Cube-based hardware for UAVs.
• Firmware flashing, parameter configuration, PID tuning, motor mapping, ESC calibration, and sensor integration under guidance.
• Develop and test software in C++ and Python for flight control, sensor processing, and AI-enabled vision systems.
• Integrate ROS and MAVLink interfaces for communication between flight controllers, companion computers, and ground systems.
• Support computer vision and AI-based perception using OpenCV, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and DeepStream.
• Deploy and evaluate AI models on NVIDIA Jetson platforms with real-time inference.
• Assist with networking, telemetry, and video streaming for UAV command and control.
• Participate in lab, simulation, and field testing; document results and follow safety procedures.
• Collaborate with hardware/software/AI teams to resolve integration issues.

Skills

C++

Python

Control systems

Autonomous navigation

OpenCV

TensorFlow

PyTorch

DeepStream

Linux (Ubuntu)

ROS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

MAVLink

QGroundControl

Mission Planner

NVIDIA Jetson

Job description

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) invites a Machine Learning Systems Engineer (UAS) to advance unmanned navigation, autonomous control, and AI edge processing in Colorado Springs.

Join a multidisciplinary team developing flight controllers, sensors, and AI-enabled perception for DoD/DoE programs. You will collaborate across hardware, software, and AI disciplines, configure PX4/ArduPilot, tune control loops, and deploy AI models on NVIDIA Jetson platforms in a dynamic,