Senior Autonomy Engineer

Jobtailor; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced autonomy/robotics engineer to design and implement multi-domain autonomy modules. You will work on path planning, task allocation, and behavior trees for UAVs, USVs, and UUVs using ROS2 and simulation tools.

The role emphasizes safety, explainability, and reliability in mission-planning contexts. Ideal candidates have strong C++/Python skills, hands-on ROS2 and simulation experience, and a background in state estimation, sensor fusion, and autonomy validation.

Qualifications

• 6+ years experience developing autonomy or robotics systems.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python for real-time autonomy development.
• Strong hands-on experience with ROS2 and robotics middleware.
• Background in motion planning, navigation, and control systems.
• Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, and autonomy validation.
• Familiarity with behavior trees, task allocation, or symbolic planners.
• Knowledge of simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, or equivalent).
• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement autonomy modules including path planning, task allocation, behavior trees, and reactive execution models.
• Develop and maintain the autonomy framework that integrates with orchestration and world modeling.
• Ensure AI-generated plans are executable, explainable, and safe across multi-domain robotic platforms.
• Implement and validate navigation, control, and autonomy behaviors for UAVs, USVs, and UUVs using ROS2 and simulation environments.
• Profile and optimize autonomy performance for edge compute hardware (Jetson, Raspberry Pi-class devices).
• Conduct simulation-in-loop and hardware-in-loop testing to validate autonomy behaviors before live field deployment.
• Contribute to safety, reliability, and compliance practices for autonomy in defense-relevant missions.
• Collaborate across AI, networking, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless orchestration of multi-vehicle operations.

Skills

C++ Programming

Python Programming

Motion Planning

State Estimation

Sensor Fusion

Autonomy Validation

Behavior Trees

Task Allocation

Symbolic Planners

Multi-Vehicle Operations

Tools

ROS2

Gazebo

Isaac Sim

AirSim

Jetson

Raspberry Pi

Job description

Responsibilities

• Design and implement autonomy modules including path planning, task allocation, behavior trees, and reactive execution models.
• Develop and maintain the autonomy framework that integrates with orchestration (AI-driven mission planning) and world modeling.
• Ensure AI-generated plans are executable, explainable, and safe across multi-domain robotic platforms.
• Implement and validate navigation, control, and autonomy behaviors for UAVs, USVs, and UUVs using ROS2 and simulation environments.
• Profile and optimize autonomy performance for edge compute hardware (Jetson, Raspberry Pi-class devices).
• Conduct simulation-in-loop and hardware-in-loop testing to validate autonomy behaviors before live field deployment.
• Contribute to safety, reliability, and compliance practices for autonomy in defense-relevant missions.
• Collaborate across AI, networking, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless orchestration of multi-vehicle operations.

Requirements

• 6+ years experience developing autonomy or robotics systems.
• Proficiency in C++ and Python for real-time autonomy development.
• Strong hands-on experience with ROS2 and robotics middleware.
• Background in motion planning, navigation, and control systems.
• Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, and autonomy validation.
• Familiarity with behavior trees, task allocation, or symbolic planners.
• Knowledge of simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, or equivalent).
• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a clearance.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and implementing autonomy modules for multi-domain robotic platforms, with a strong focus on real-time systems, navigation, and control. Proficient in C++ and Python, with hands-on experience in ROS2 and simulation environments to ensure safety and reliability in defense-relevant missions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• C++ Programming
• Python Programming
• ROS2 Proficiency
• Motion Planning
• Simulation Environments

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Autonomy Development
• Path Planning
• Task Allocation
• Behavior Trees
• Reactive Execution Models
• Navigation Systems
• Control Systems
• State Estimation
• Sensor Fusion
• Autonomy Validation

Industry Keywords

• Robotics
• AI-Driven Mission Planning
• Multi-Vehicle Operations
• Safety Compliance
• Defense-Relevant Missions

Tools & Technologies

• Gazebo
• Isaac Sim
• AirSim
• Jetson
• Raspberry Pi