Autonomy Engineer

lunaroutpost; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage with 70% employer premiums

Three weeks paid vacation

4% employer match on 401(k)

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost in Golden, Colorado, seeks an Autonomy Engineer passionate about space exploration. You will design algorithms for lunar rovers and collaborate across teams to enhance software for challenging environments.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Robotics Engineering and 1-3 years in developing autonomy software. The role offers competitive compensation, comprehensive health coverage, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience developing autonomy software for autonomous systems.
• Expertise in swarm task allocation or motion planning for UGV, UAV, or orbital platforms.
• Exceptional communication skills in technical contexts.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop algorithms for lunar rovers.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to optimize software hardware integration.
• Conduct field tests to validate algorithms.

Skills

Decentralized navigation algorithms

C++

Python

ROS (Robot Operating System)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Robotics Engineering

Tools

Docker

VirtualBox

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a sustainable presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are seeking a talented, experienced Autonomy Engineer.

Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Pegasus LTV, which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop decentralized navigation and decision-making algorithms for lunar rovers and orbital assets.
• Develop and implement robust software capable of enabling autonomous operations in challenging lunar environments.
• Collaborate with systems, mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to integrate and optimize autonomy software with asset hardware.
• Utilize simulation techniques to improve autonomous system performance and reliability under various conditions in space.
• Conduct field tests and simulations to validate and refine algorithms and software systems.
• Ensure software systems adhere to industry standards for safety, reliability, and performance in space exploration contexts.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including ICDs and verification plans.
• Participate in design reviews, trade studies, and technical risk assessments.
• Stay at the forefront of autonomy and robotics technology, incorporating the latest advancements into our projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Robotics Engineering, or related field
• 1-3 years of relevant professional experience in developing autonomy software for autonomous systems, with a proven track record in navigation, perception, planning, or control. Applicants should have expertise in at least one of the following areas:
  • Swarm task allocation and coordination
  • State estimation and cooperative localization (e.g., EKF, Distributed EKF)
  • Object identification, modelling, and tracking
  • Motion planning and control of UGV, UAV, or orbital platforms
• Expertise in programming languages such as C++, Python, and familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System)
• Comfortable working in research-oriented, agile, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Track record of innovation in networking, robotics, or space systems, as demonstrated by patents, publications, or significant project achievements.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and collaborate across various engineering disciplines.
• U.S. Citizen

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a field relevant to autonomy or robotics directly applicable to autonomous navigation and guidance
• Experience with multi-agent autonomous systems in space, or other extreme, unstructured environments.
• Familiarity with space operating systems (e.g., VxWorks) and software (e.g., cFS)
• Familiarity with containers (e.g., Docker) and virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox)
• Familiarity with sensor interfaces and calibration
• Experience with the end-to-end development and deployment of network software systems in space exploration missions
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
• Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
• Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
• Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.