Sr. Research Engineer/Lead Computer Scientist/Lead Engineer (10-01549)

Motion Control; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX, is seeking an experienced Robotics Engineer to lead development of advanced robotic systems for government and commercial clients. You will contribute to motion planning, perception, surface reconstruction, and hardware integration across industrial robots and mobile manipulators.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, project mentoring, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to deliver innovative automation solutions.

Qualifications

• Requires a robotics-related engineering degree.
• 5+ years of experience in robotic motion planning and robotic systems.
• 4+ years of strong software skills in C++ or Python.
• 2 years ROS experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel software solutions for robotic and automated systems and provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Design, build, hardware integration, debug and implement at client facilities.
• Prepare proposals and cost estimates.
• Interact with customers to promote new business and gather technical requirements for projects.
• Coordinate tasks with project managers and engineering staff.
• Lead motion planning, perception, and related robotics work.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Robotics/Mechatronics/Mechanical/Software/CS degree

Tools

ROS

Job description

Southwest Research Institute

Location

San Antonio, TX

Description

Who We Are:

The Robotics Department develops industrial robotic, automated, and autonomous solutions for government and commercial clients across a wide range of industries.

Objectives Of This Role

• Contribute to working with our clients and solving real-world challenges by building advanced capabilities, technologies, and solutions in the field of industrial robotics and automation.
• Support novel development of optimization-based path planning, perception systems, surface reconstruction, hardware integration, and testing on industrial robots, mobile manipulators, and custom automation hardware.
• Develop business for novel automation capabilities with new clients, industries, and applications.
• Serve as a technical lead for motion planning/perception work and/or project manager of R&D robotics projects.
• Ideate novel solutions and mentor junior robotics staff.
• Visit https://robotics.swri.org to learn about some of the work we do.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Daily And Monthly Responsibilities

• Develop novel software solutions for robotic and automated systems and provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Development tasks include: design, build, hardware integration, debug, and implementation at client facilities.
• Prepare proposals and cost estimates.
• Interact with customers to promote new business and develop technical requirements for new projects.
• Communicate effectively with internal team, external clients, and industry partners.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop technical solutions, and coordinate technical tasks with project managers and other engineering staff.
• Coordinate individual performance goals and objectives set by the organization as well as provide leadership to project teams to help realize organizational objectives.
• Has a special focus on motion planning, industrial robotic manipulators, 3D perception, and/or surface reconstruction.

Requirements

Minimum Education & Experience

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or other robotics-related engineering degree. Those with graduate degrees may require less experience.
• 5+ years: Relevant industry experience with robotic motion planning and robotic systems at an organization such as a manufacturer, robotics company, robotics integrator, etc.
• 4+ years: Strong software skills; C++ or Python required.
• 2 years: Robot Operating System (ROS) experience required.
• Strong communication skills.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.