Robotics Technologist III: Stochastic Planning and Control for Field Robotics

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory seeks a Robotics Technologist III to advance motion planning, state estimation, and learning‑based decisions for multi‑agent robotic systems in space exploration. You will develop controls, planning algorithms, and multi‑agent planning frameworks, integrating deep learning and ROS2 stacks for field‑tested autonomous navigation.

The role focuses on innovation in motion control, planning, and perception, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team across projects and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience
• Master’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
• Ph.D. in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• Experience developing uncertainty‑aware motion planning and control systems
• Demonstrated expertise in estimation theory, SLAM, and sensor fusion
• Proficiency in multi‑agent planning and POMDP decision‑making frameworks
• Strong programming proficiency in Python, C, and C++
• Experience operating robot software stacks using ROS2
• Experience operating and integrating hardware for robotic field expeditions
• Strong communications skills and ability to work across teams

Responsibilities

• Design and implement constraint‑aware motion planning and controls for multi‑agent systems
• Apply deep learning for perception‑aware stochastic planning
• Develop low‑level algorithms utilizing model predictive control, reinforcement learning, and grid‑based or sampling‑based planning
• Develop higher‑level planning frameworks incorporating POMDP and Monte Carlo Tree Search for decision making
• Perform robust robot system integration work with ROS2-based stacks
• Support field trials to evaluate autonomous navigation of robotic systems

Skills

Motion planning

Estimation theory

Sensor fusion

Multi-agent planning

POMDP

Python

C

C++

ROS2

Hardware integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Mechatronics or related

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

ROS2

Gazebo

MuJoCo

PyTorch

TensorFlow

CUDA

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Job Details

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Wanted

A Robotics Technologist III with advanced skills in motion control, planning, state estimation, and machine learning, as they apply to robotic systems for the Robotic Surface Mobility Group, which is part of the Robotic Mobility and Manipulation Section.

The Robotics section develops, matures, and brings to space flight, robotics technology for in-situ exploration of the solar system. The Section also provides robotics expertise for space flight hardware and software implementation along with mission operations support.

Opportunity

To work with an enthusiastic multi-disciplinary workforce that originates and executes robotics technology development and space flight projects. This role is highly focused on addressing complex motion control, planning, and state estimation challenges across various active projects. The candidate will be responsible for developing controls and planning algorithms, integrating deep learning models, and designing high-level multi-agent planning frameworks to support robotic operations.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement constraint‑aware motion planning and controls for multi‑agent systems.
• Apply deep learning for perception‑aware stochastic planning.
• Develop low‑level algorithms utilizing model predictive control, reinforcement learning, and grid‑based or sampling‑based planning.
• Develop higher‑level planning frameworks incorporating Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDP) and action selection using Monte Carlo Tree Search.
• Perform robust robot system integration work with the existing ROS2‑based robot software stacks.
• Support field trials to evaluate autonomous navigation of robotic systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; a Master’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing uncertainty‑aware motion planning and control systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in estimation theory, simultaneous localization and mapping, and sensor fusion.
• Proficiency in multi‑agent planning and POMDP decision‑making frameworks.
• Strong programming proficiency in Python, C, and C++.
• Experience developing and operating robot software stacks using ROS2.
• Experience operating and integrating hardware for robotic field expeditions.
• Strong communications skills and ability to work across teams.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with simulation tools for robotic development such as Gazebo, IsaacSim, or MuJoCo.
• Proficiency with modern machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) for training and deploying perception and vision models.
• Experience with compute optimization and GPU acceleration (e.g., CUDA, TensorRT) for real‑time, onboard robotic processing.
• Familiarity with diverse sensing modalities (e.g., LiDAR, stereo cameras, IMUs) tailored for resource‑constrained or GPS‑denied environments.
• Experience in continuous integration and rigorous software testing methodologies (e.g., hardware‑in‑the‑loop, software‑in‑the‑loop) for autonomous operations.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$149,656 - $186,888

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.