Autonomy ML Engineer - Real-Time UAV Perception

Heven AeroTech; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Heven AeroTech in the Pacific Northwest is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer - Autonomy to develop and deploy ML and autonomy capabilities for uncrewed aircraft. The role covers perception, planning, sensor fusion, and mission-level decision making, interfacing with flight-control, mission computers, onboard compute, and payload interfaces.

You will collaborate with ML, platform, flight test, avionics, electrical, and mechanical teams to translate ideas into flight-ready autonomy.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 2-5 years of experience developing and deploying ML or autonomy software on robotic/UAS platforms.
• Strong C++ and Python development skills, including Linux-based development and modern ML frameworks.
• Working knowledge of perception, sensor integration, autonomous decision making or planning, and real-time system integration.
• Professional working proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and deploy ML and autonomy capabilities for uncrewed aircraft, with emphasis on reliable operation on real aircraft and onboard compute.
• Develop mission-level autonomous behaviors using state machines, behavior trees, planners, optimization methods, deterministic logic, and machine learning.
• Develop and integrate perception capabilities including object detection, classification, tracking, scene understanding, sensor fusion, and geospatial reasoning.
• Integrate autonomy software with autopilots, companion computers, mission computers, sensors, payloads, data links, and GCS/C2 systems while maintaining clear interfaces with flight-control functions.
• Develop production-quality C++ and Python software for real-time and near-real-time execution, including optimization for NVIDIA GPU and embedded edge-compute platforms.
• Develop and use simulation, SIL, HIL, bench-test, and automated test environments to evaluate autonomy behavior and reduce risk prior to flight.
• Support aircraft integration, ground test, and flight test of autonomy capabilities, including analysis of logs and test data to characterize performance and drive improvements.
• Collaborate across Heven AeroTech with Machine Learning Engineers, Platform Engineers, Flight Test, avionics, electrical, mechanical, and other engineering teams.

Skills

C++

Python

English proficiency

Education

BS/BA in a technical field

Tools

Linux

NVIDIA CUDA

TensorRT

ROS 2

MAVLink

Job description

Heven AeroTech in the Pacific Northwest is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer - Autonomy to develop and deploy ML and autonomy capabilities for uncrewed aircraft. The role covers perception, planning, sensor fusion, and mission-level decision making, interfacing with flight-control, mission computers, onboard compute, and payload interfaces.

You will collaborate with ML, platform, flight test, avionics, electrical, and mechanical teams to translate ideas into flight-ready autonomy.