Robotics Engineer - Smyrna, GA - ATAS - Open Rank

Georgia Tech Research Institute; Smyrna (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Welfare

Tuition Reimbursement

Time Off

Professional Development

Job summary

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) invites applications for a robotics engineer focused on hardware and software enabling autonomous robotic systems. The role emphasizes integration of sensors, real-time planning, and coordination of robot teams in dynamic environments.

Candidates should have hands-on experience with C++, Python, ROS, Linux, and simulation tools like Gazebo or SCRIMMAGE. The position supports rapid prototyping, algorithm development, and collaboration across perceptual,

Qualifications

• Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited degree program with graduation date by Dec 2026.
• Experience prototyping robotic algorithms and deploying software on real robots.
• Experience with C++, Python, ROS, Linux, and robotic simulation engines (Gazebo, SCRIMMAGE).
• Desirable: multi-robot teams, path planning/navigation, behavior-based robotics, optimal control and estimation, machine learning for robotic control.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic signal processing under supervision.
• Document work in reports and presentations.
• Contribute to algorithm discussions and project outcomes.
• Produce technical reports, journal articles, and conference presentations.
• Develop autonomous robotic algorithms and validate them with real systems.
• Analyze experimental robot logs to assess performance.
• Contribute to background research and proposals.

Skills

C++

Python

ROS

Linux

Gazebo

SCRIMMAGE

Multi-robot teams

Path planning

Machine learning for robotics

Robotics algorithm prototyping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics / EE / CS

Master's degree in Robotics / EE / CS

Ph.D. in Robotics / EE / CS

Tools

SCRIMMAGE

Gazebo

Job description

Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

GTRI's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Division (RASD) bridges the gap between advanced robotics research and mission ready capabilities. Our team develops autonomous collaborative systems across a variety of domains to deliver actionable insights and mission relevant capabilities to our customers. RASD’s primary focus is the development of real-time, collaborative, autonomous robotic solutions for applications including but not limited to, multi-robot multi-domain collaboration, swarming, intelligent path planning, robust navigation, and adaptive resource allocation.

Job Purpose

A robotics engineer develops the hardware and/or software that enables electro-mechanical systems to perform a series of tasks with little or no human involvement. The robotics engineer can develop the mechanical mechanisms that form the robot, integrate sensors such as cameras and LIDAR systems into the system, or develop the algorithms to allow the robot or autonomous system to sense its environment, plan its actions, and then execute the plan. This position contributes to the fundamental and applied understanding of robotic and autonomous systems. The robotics researcher develops the advanced autonomous planning, coordination, perception and control algorithms that enable a mobile robot or team of robots to operate in dynamic environments. The engineer can also interface with perceptual, actuation, communication and other systems to enable the robot to sense, plan actions, coordinate actions according to mission plans and execute the plans. This position may incorporate a fundamental understanding of robotic control and path planning as well as an applied understanding of robotics systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform basic signal processing with supervisor direction.
• Document work in written and presentation form.
• Contribute to algorithm application discussions.
• Contribute to technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform autonomous robotic algorithm development and validation tasks with limited guidance.
• Analyze experimental robotic system logs to determine performance with limited guidance.
• Develop expertise in specific areas such as controls, software development, behavior development.
• Contribute to white papers and proposals with supporting background or data analysis.
• Contribute to technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than December 2026.
• Experience with fast prototyping of robotic algorithms and software as well as deploying that software for operation on a robot in real-world environments.
• Experience with C++, Python, ROS, Linux, and/or robotic simulation engines like Gazebo and SCRIMMAGE.
• Experience in one or more of the following is desirable:
  • Multi-robot teams
  • Path planning and navigation
  • Behavior-based robotics
  • Optimal control and estimation
  • Machine learning for robotic control.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance.
• A strong history of publication or hardware-implementation of advanced algorithms demonstrating the ability to perform independent research is desired.

Travel Requirements

• 10% - 25% travel.

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement.The final job offerwill be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 0-9 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or any related field.
• 0-7 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree inRobotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or any related field.
• 0-4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. inRobotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or any related field.

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, and services.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.