Senior Navigation and Autonomy Engineer

Leidos Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Senior Navigation and Autonomy Engineer for fast-moving prototyping and field demonstrations. You will develop and test state estimation, sensor fusion, and vision-based localization across aircraft, ground vehicles, and pedestrians, moving ideas from concept to customer demonstration.

The role emphasizes hands-on algorithm development in MATLAB, Python, C++, and ROS, with simulation testbeds and travel to demos for DARPA, NASA, AFRL, ONR, and Army customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in engineering/computer science or related field with extensive experience in autonomy/robotics
• Experience with sensor fusion/estimation algorithms (Kalman Filters, Particle Filters, Factor Graphs) or computer vision algorithms (OpenCV)
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, and C++ for algorithm development
• Familiarity with ROS and Linux environments and field testing
• Background in robotics, controls, estimation, or autonomous systems

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and analyze state estimation and multi-sensor fusion algorithms (Kalman Filters, Unscented Kalman Filters, Particle Filters, Factor Graphs)
• Develop, integrate, and analyze computer vision perception and localization techniques including feature extraction/matching, optical flow, SLAM, and ML approaches
• Develop in MATLAB, Python, C++, ROS, and Linux-based environments
• Create and use simulation testbeds to support algorithm testing
• Travel with team to demonstrate systems on aircraft, ground vehicles, and pedestrians; lead teams during execution

Skills

Robotics

Estimation

Sensor fusion

Computer vision

Machine learning

Team leadership

MATLAB

Python

C++

ROS

Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer/ Electrical/ Computer Science/Aerospace/ Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

8+ years of experience or Master's with 6+ years

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

ROS

Linux

OpenCV

Job description

Description

Senior Navigation and Autonomy Engineer: Rapid Prototyping and Field Demonstrations

The Contested Autonomy and Navigation Branch at Leidos develops cutting-edge alternative navigation and autonomy technologies for environments where GPS alone cannot be trusted. Based in Huntsville, AL, this role combines algorithm development, simulation, integration, and real-world field testing of autonomous systems for customers including DARPA, NASA, AFRL, ONR, and the U.S. Army.

You'll work on small, fast-moving engineering teams developing and demonstrating advanced capabilities on aircraft, ground vehicles, pedestrians, and maritime platforms. This is a highly hands-on role where you'll see your work move rapidly from concept to field demonstration and operational deployment. Unlike large production programs, this team focuses on rapid prototyping and transitioning advanced autonomy capabilities from research into operational demonstrations. Engineers on this team are expected to take ownership of technical problems from initial concept through field demonstration and customer evaluation. Engineers regularly participate in field experiments and flight tests, directly supporting customer demonstrations of new autonomy capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and analyze state estimation and multi-sensor fusion algorithms, including
  • Extended Kalman Filters
  • Unscented Kalman Filters
  • Particle Filters
  • Factor Graphs
• Develop, integrate, and analyze computer vision perception and localization techniques including
  • Feature extraction/matching
  • Optical flow/visual odometry
  • Image correlation
  • Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM)
  • Machine learning approaches for all of the above
• Development is performed primarily in MATLAB, Python, C++, ROS, and Linux-based environments.
• Develop and utilize simulation testbeds to support algorithm testing and assessment
• Travel with your team to demo your system to the customer on a variety of platforms, including aircraft, ground vehicles, pedestrians
• Responsibilities will include the above and also leading teams in the above.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent with 8+ years' experience or Master's with 6+ years 'of experience.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or C++ for algorithm development and analysis. Most early-stage algorithm development and analysis is currently performed in MATLAB.
• Background in robotics, controls, estimation, or autonomous systems
• Experience with either sensor fusion/estimation algorithms (e.g. Kalman Filters, Particle Filters, or Factor Graphs), or with computer vision algorithms (for instance OpenCV). If you have experience with both sensor fusion and computer vision that's even better!

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with various sensor types (Inertial Measurement Units, GPS, cameras, LiDAR, etc.)
• Experience with the Robot Operating System (ROS) and the OpenCV computer vision library
• Experience with interface communication standards / protocols including RS232, RS422, TCP/IP, and UDP to communicate with various sensors
• Experience with autonomous system development through robotics competitions
• Experience with the Linux operating environment
• Experience using version control tools (Git, Subversion, etc).
• Experience with AI/Machine Learning for computer vision or robotics applications
• Experience leading small engineering teams in a rapid prototyping / R&D environment

NKE

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: September 1, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.