Robotics/Autonomy Engineer

Knightwerx; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

A leading aerospace innovation company in Arizona seeks a Robotics/Autonomy Engineer to lead the development of autonomous systems for unmanned aircraft. The role requires collaboration across various teams to enhance mission planning and navigation capabilities. Ideal candidates will hold a relevant degree and have extensive experience in the field. Competitive salary and benefits included.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of related industry experience.
• Proven experience in developing software for command and control of remote systems.
• Experience with UAVs or autonomous systems is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop autonomous navigation and mission planning for UAS.
• Integrate perception sources into the autonomy stack.
• Optimize behaviors for contested environments.

Skills

Path planning

Sensor fusion

C++

Python

Rust

Cybersecurity principles

Geospatial mapping

UAV communication protocols

Education

Bachelor's or higher degree in relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Git

CMake

Job description

This range is provided by Knightwerx. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$140,000.00/yr - $170,000.00/yr

Knightwerx is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Robotics/Autonomy Engineer to lead the development and integration of autonomous behaviors, perception systems, and mission planning software for a small, unmanned electric aircraft. We operate in a fast-paced development environment that balances innovation and ingenuity with practicality and reliability. You’ll collaborate with flight-software, aeromechanical, and avionics teams to deliver robust autonomy for GPS-denied, contested, and complex environments from prototype through production.

Work Experience

• Bachelor's or higher degree in relevant engineering discipline
• 7+ years of related industry experience
• Proven experience in developing application software for command, control and monitoring of remote systems
• Proven track record of delivering complex software products as an individual contributor
• Experience with UAVs or other autonomous systems
• Experience with UAV autopilot systems (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot)
• Experience with international interoperability standards like STANAG 4586
• Strong knowledge of MAVLink, RTPS and other UAV communication protocols.
• Experience with uORB, FastDDS, or similar frameworks for real-time communications in UAV systems
• Familiarity with mission planning, geospatial systems, and mapping software.

Attributes

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams and contributing to collective goals
• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards feedback, actively seeking input from others to improve User Experience (UX)
• Innovative, hands-on, and practical
• Multi-disciplined, problem solver, driven by engineering analysis
• Goal driven, learns from mistakes, and closes the loop on the design process

Primary Duties

• Develop autonomous navigation, mission planning, and decision-making for a UAS
• Integrate perception sources (EO/IR, lidar, radar) and GPS-denied localization/SLAM into the autonomy stack
• Optimize behaviors for contested environments: obstacle avoidance, target tracking, dynamic retasking/fail-safes
• Interface autonomy with the flight stack (guidance, modes, set-points, constraints)
• Build and maintain simulation/SITL/HIL environments and validate before flight
• Support field testing: sensor calibration, autonomous mission execution, post-mission telemetry/data analysis

Tasks

• Implement autonomy software to develop and maintain features for mission planning, autopilot management, and vehicle control
• Select and integrate autonomy compute/payloads
• Create intuitive and responsive user interfaces (UI) for controlling and monitoring UAVs
• Implement and test new features based on user feedback and technological advancements
• Ensure the software is scalable, maintainable, and efficient
• Participate in the documentation of software design, code, and test procedures

Skills

• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices in software development
• Strong in path planning and sensor fusion
• Familiarity with geospatial/mapping and mission-planning concepts
• Experience with simulation/tooling and data logging/analysis
• Embedded/edge deployment on Jetson or similar; performance profiling/optimization
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and build tools (CMake)
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, and/or Rust
• Familiarity with Qt, React, or similar frameworks for GUI development
• Strong understanding of real-time communication protocols and back-end integration
• Nice to have: STANAG 4586/interop awareness

Requirements

• Must have US citizenship
• On-site, collaborative work environment

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing and Defense & Space

Benefits

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)