Software R&D Engineer

Penn State University; University Park (TX); Presencial; USD 85 000 - 140 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in State College, PA seeks a Robotics Engineer to advance autonomy for UxVs. The role integrates software/hardware across undersea platforms, sensors, and payloads, with field and lab testing to transition technologies to Navy sponsors.

The position emphasizes collaboration within a multidisciplinary team and regular interaction with software teams and project leads, supporting national security missions.

Qualificações

• C/C++, Python, Java, or similar.
• Agile software methodologies.
• DevSecOps - with GitLab and/or Atlassian tools (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence).
• Software designed with containerization (OCI, Docker, K8s/K3s) and microservices architectures.
• Test and evaluation of software.

Responsabilidades

• Develop/contribute to system and sub-system software for autonomy of UxVs, including adaptive mission behaviors, environmental awareness, distributed autonomy, multi-vehicle coordination, and sensor/payload integration.
• Collaborate with software/systems engineers across undersea navigation, endurance optimization, acoustic communications, environmental modeling, and autonomy-enabled CONOPS.
• Develop and test prototype architectures via SIL, HIL, and on-water testing.
• Interact regularly with software team, project lead, and collaborators throughout the lab.

Conhecimentos

C/C++

Python

Java

Agile methodologies

DevSecOps

Containerization

Test and evaluation

UxV systems (preferred)

Underwater autonomy

Ferramentas

GitLab

JIRA

Bitbucket

Confluence

Docker

Kubernetes (K8s/K3s)

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .

POSITION SPECIFICS

Your working location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

We are searching for a highly motivated Robotics Engineer to join the Autonomy and Emerging Technology (AET) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. AET serves as ARL's innovation hub for developing and evaluating advanced capabilities in the Subsea and Seabed Warfare (SSW) mission space. This role will work at the intersection of autonomy, underwater robotics, and prototype system integration to rapidly transition new technologies to Navy sponsors. Our team is expanding to support SSW mission area.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Technical: Develop/contribute to system and sub-system software implementation, test/evaluation and deployment of autonomy for UxVs, including adaptive mission behaviors, environmental awareness, distributed autonomy, multi-vehicle coordination, and integration of autonomy with UxV sensors and payloads. Drive advancements in UxV simulation, field testing, and fleet-relevant autonomy capabilities
• Team Work: Work within a multidisciplinary team of software/systems engineers working across undersea navigation, endurance optimization, acoustic communications, environmental modeling, and autonomy-enabled CONOPS
• Simulation and Test: Work within a team of engineers to develop and test prototype architecture solutions through testing with: software-in-the-loop (SIL); hardware-in-the-loop (HIL); and on-water testing
• Collaboration: Interact and collaborate regularly with software team, project lead and other collaborators throughout the lab

Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research, development, testing, and evaluation activities to solve complex scientific and engineering challenges supporting Department of Defense sponsors and national security missions
• Investigate, evaluate, and apply established and emerging engineering principles, scientific methodologies, and advanced technologies to develop innovative technical solutions
• Plan, perform, and lead analytical studies, modeling and simulation, laboratory experimentation, field testing, and prototype demonstrations to validate engineering concepts and system performance
• Design, develop, integrate, analyze, and evaluate complex hardware, software, embedded systems, sensors, communications systems, electromechanical systems, or other mission-critical technologies within assigned technical disciplines
• Apply systems engineering principles throughout the project lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture definition, design trade studies, integration, verification, validation, risk management, and configuration management
• Develop experimental plans, test procedures, data collection methodologies, and performance metrics; analyze results to identify technical issues, validate assumptions, and recommend design improvements

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• C/C++, Python, Java, or similar
• Agile software methodologies
• DevSecOps - specifically with GitLab and/or Atlassian tools (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence)
• Design of software using containerization technologies (Open Container Initiative, Docker, K8s/K3s) and micro-service architectures
• Test and evaluation of software

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• UxV systems, including platforms, mission payloads, launch and recovery, acoustic comms, and energy management
• Oceanography, seabed features, and environmental data used for UxV autonomy
• Past success supporting Navy missions, operational training, or UxV fleet experimentation
• Development or use of UxV simulation frameworks (e.g., platform, payload, or environmental modeling)
• Autonomy for unmanned systems including autonomy architectures, behavior frameworks and mission planning for undersea missions, undersea navigation and perception autonomy behaviors, and autonomy standards for UxVs (e.g., MOSA, A-GRA, UMAA, PCX)
• UXV simulation, evaluation, and verification environments
• Test and evaluation of maritime platforms
• Cont