Senior Alt-PNT Research Engineer

University of Dayton Research Institute; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

The University of Dayton Research Institute in Dayton, OH invites qualified applicants for a Senior Alt-PNT Research Engineer role. You will drive cutting-edge Alt-PNT research and lead development across DoD projects, guiding diverse engineering teams to create novel navigation solutions.

Requirements include a Master’s degree in EE/CE/CS, 8+ years of experience, proficiency with Python, C++, or Java, and Git. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain DoD Secret clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience.
• Experience with Python, C++, or Java.
• Experience developing software in Linux or Windows environments.
• Experience with Git version control.
• Willingness to travel ~10% for remote test events.
• Experience in Alt-PNT sensor technologies: Vision Based Navigation, Magnetic Anomaly Navigation.
• Experience developing and testing sensor fusion engines.
• Due to DoD contracts, U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and explore new development work for Alt-PNT projects across the Department of War.
• Demonstrate leadership in teams of engineers to develop novel navigation solutions.
• Contribute towards business development initiatives to broaden the PNT portfolio.

Skills

Python

C++

Java

Git

Linux

Windows

Travel

Alt-PNT sensors

Sensor fusion

U.S. Citizenship

DoD Clearance (Secret)

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS

Doctoral degree (preferred)

Tools

Git

Job description

Position Summary

Are you interested in working for UDRI, a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry and nonprofit customers? Established as the research arm of the University of Dayton in 1956, UDRI has performed more than $3 billion in cumulative sponsored research, with sponsored research for 2025 alone exceeding $250 million. We invite qualified applicants to apply for our Senior Alt-PNT Research Engineer opening today!

Position Summary

Are you interested in working for UDRI, a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry and nonprofit customers? Established as the research arm of the University of Dayton in 1956, UDRI has performed more than $3 billion in cumulative sponsored research, with sponsored research for 2025 alone exceeding $250 million. We invite qualified applicants to apply for our Senior Alt-PNT Research Engineer opening today!
This highly skilled and innovative Senior Alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Research Engineer will drive cutting-edge research and development initiatives in a variety of Alt-PNT technologies.
This position will be responsible for working, as part of a diverse and skilled technical team, to lead and explore new development work for Alternative PNT projects across the Department of War (DoW), as well as leading teams of engineers to develop novel solutions.
This position will also contribute towards business development initiatives to broaden the portfolio of PNT projects beyond today’s scope.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience
• Experience with modern software languages such as Python, C++, or Java
• Experience developing software in Linux or Windows environments
• Experience with version control systems such as Git
• Willingness to travel ~10% for remote test events
• Experience in one of the following Alt-PNT sensor technologies:
• Vision Based Navigation
• Magnetic Anomaly Navigation
• Experience developing and testing sensor fusion engines
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. Citizen and be able to obtain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Active Top Secret clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI
• Experience with navigation filter development, tuning, and performance assessment
• Experience working with academic institutions
• Experience mentoring students and junior employees
• Experience authoring conference and journal papers and delivering technical presentations
• Experience writing technical proposals
• Experience supporting remote flight test events
• Experience in test event planning
• Currently holds a FAA Class 3 medical certificate

Closing Statement

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.