Senior Navigation and Autonomy Engineer

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

Job summary

Leidos in Huntsville, AL seeks a Senior Navigation and Autonomy Engineer focused on rapid prototyping and field demonstrations. You will develop state estimation and fusion methods, integrate perception and localization, and drive algorithms from concept to customer demonstrations.

The role involves MATLAB, Python, C++, ROS, and Linux, plus field testing on aircraft and ground platforms. Expect leadership in fast-paced teams and frequent travel for demos.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering field with 8+ years’ experience or Master’s with 6+ years.
• Must be a US Citizen and eligible for a U.S. security clearance.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or C++ for algorithm development.
• Background in robotics, controls, estimation, or autonomous systems.
• Experience with sensor fusion or computer vision algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and analyze state estimation and multi-sensor fusion algorithms.
• Develop computer vision perception and localization techniques.
• Develop in MATLAB, Python, C++, ROS, and Linux environments.
• Create simulation testbeds for algorithm testing.
• Travel to demo system on various platforms and with customer demonstrations.
• Lead teams on the above tasks.

Skills

State estimation

Sensor fusion

Kalman Filters

Machine learning

C++

ROS

MATLAB

Python

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree

Tools

ROS

OpenCV

Linux

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

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.

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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, www.leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits 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.

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.