R&D Engineer - Autonomous Systems

Penn State University; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking an Autonomous Systems R&D Engineer to join the GCT Division at the ARL. The role focuses on designing algorithms for guidance and control of undersea systems, analyzing multi-sensor data, and developing software to demonstrate autonomous decision-making.

The position emphasizes collaboration, documentation, and advancing autonomous capabilities for current and future applications.

Qualifications

• Algorithm development spanning data fusion, object tracking and classification, and/or autonomous decision-making.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills demonstrated through successful proposal writing, project reports and/or presentations, and team projects.
• Willingness and ability to travel to represent ongoing programs with sponsors and support test events.

Responsibilities

• Design algorithms for vehicle guidance and control in an undersea environment, including signal processing, detection, classification, tracking, and autonomous decision-making
• Analyze multi-sensor data to evaluate system performance
• Design, implement, integrate, and test software to demonstrate guidance and control algorithms
• Collaborate and communicate with a team of peers
• Document work through reports and presentations
• Plan and execute programs advancing autonomous capabilities for current and future applications

Skills

Algorithm development

Data fusion

Object tracking

Classification

Autonomous decision-making

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for an Autonomous Systems R&D Engineer to join the Tactical & Autonomous Processing Department within the Guidance and Control Technologies (GCT) Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This Department's mission is to develop, analyze, and deliver tactical processing capabilities for the autonomous, intelligent control of undersea systems, and research new capabilities and designs for future autonomous systems. This department serves as a leading resource for the undersea systems community in situational awareness, guidance and control, and autonomous decision-making.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Design algorithms for vehicle guidance and control in an undersea environment, including signal processing, detection, classification, tracking, and autonomous decision-making
• Analyze multi-sensor data to evaluate system performance
• Design, implement, integrate, and test software to demonstrate guidance and control algorithms
• Collaborate and communicate with a team of peers
• Document work through reports and presentations
• Plan and execute programs advancing autonomous capabilities for current and future applications

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

• Investigate and evaluate applicability of theories and practices to the development of guidance and control systems
• Direct and/or participate in major proposal preparation and presentation

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Algorithm development and analysis spanning data fusion, object tracking and classification, and/or autonomous decision-making
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills demonstrated through successful proposal writing, project reports and/or presentations, and team projects.
• Willingness and ability to travel to represent ongoing programs with sponsors and support test events

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or Data Science
• Proven ability to advance autonomy concepts from research to application through design, integration, and test phases.
• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary teams for development and implementation of guidance and control capabilities.
• Object-oriented software design using MATLAB, Python, and/or C++
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 19+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 14+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications: None

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):

Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment invo