Robotics and Autonomy Engineer (ES)

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid basic medical

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation and sick time

Paid holidays

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's Applied Research Laboratories seeks a Robotics and Autonomy Engineer to develop real-time autonomy and perception algorithms for Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles, with testing in lakes, harbors, and oceans, transitioning capabilities to Navy Sailors.

Applicants should hold a relevant Bachelor's degree, have 3+ years in robotics algorithm development, and strong Python/C++ skills; familiarity with ROS and Unix/Linux is preferred. On-site at Pickle Research Campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, Math, or related field.
• Experience with robotics or autonomous vehicles through coursework, internships, projects or research (e.g., ROS, autonomy stacks, ML).
• Three years of relevant robotics algorithm development experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C/C++ (object-oriented).
• Comfortable working with Unix/Linux.

Responsibilities

• Develop autonomy algorithms that use sonar data for obstacle avoidance and multi-agent decision making.
• Design perception algorithms to increase vehicle situational awareness.
• Analyze sonar and navigation data to improve algorithms.
• Test algorithms in water including lakes and ocean, harbors or rivers.
• Develop system concepts and proposals; coordinate project execution with staff.
• Collaborate on large projects with ownership and document work for knowledge transfer.

Skills

Robotics experience

ROS / autonomy stacks

Python / C++

Unix/Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics/Engineering/CS/Math

Job description

Job Posting Title

Robotics and Autonomy Engineer (ES)

Hiring Department

Applied Research Laboratories

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

Purpose

Develop autonomy and perception algorithms for Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles to be executed in real-time, fully underwater, and for real world applications in the Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL). Selected applicant will participate in the development cycle from initial implementation, to testing in the ocean, harbors and rivers, and finally transitioning those capabilities to Navy Sailors.

Responsibilities

• Develop autonomy algorithms that use sonar data for obstacle avoidance, aid multi-agent decision making, and dynamic replanning in complex underwater environments
• Design perception algorithms that increase vehicle situational awareness
• Analyze sonar and navigation data to identify algorithm improvements
• Test algorithms in water including local lake testing and field tests in the ocean, harbors, or rivers
• Develop system concepts and proposals as well as coordinate project execution with development staff
• Collaborate on large projects with a high degree of ownership
• Document your work to support knowledge transfer
• Other related functions as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, Math, or a related field
• Experience with robotics or autonomous vehicles through coursework, internships, personal projects, or research. (eg. ROS, autonomy stacks, ML)
• Three years of relevant experience of robotics algorithm development
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C/C++ (object-oriented)
• Comfortable working with Unix/Linux

US Citizen. Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at the project requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Math or Applied Sciences with emphasis in autonomous vehicles, robotics, learning systems, data analysis, or related field.
• Eligibility for immediate access to classified information.
• Five or more years of related experience.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0.

General Notes

An agency designated by the federal government handles the investigation as to the requirement for eligibility for access to classified information. Factors considered during this investigation include but are not limited to allegiance to the United States, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations, drug involvement, the likelihood of continuation of such conduct, etc.

Visit our website (www.arlut.utexas.edu) for additional information about Applied Research Laboratories.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Salary Range

$104,000-$174,000+/negotiable depending on qualifications.

Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Some weekend, evening and holiday work
• Possible interstate/intrastate travel

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest
• Unofficial college transcripts.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.