Underwater Autonomy Engineer for Ocean Vehicles

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a qualified engineer to develop autonomy and perception algorithms for uncrewed underwater vehicles, with real-time underwater operation and field testing in lakes, harbors, and rivers. The role includes transitioning capabilities to Navy Sailors.

You will participate from initial implementation to test in ocean environments, collaborating on large projects and documenting work for knowledge transfer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, Math, or a related field.
• Three years of relevant robotics algorithm development experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C/C++ (object-oriented).
• Experience with robotics or autonomous vehicles through coursework, internships, personal projects, or research (e.g., ROS, autonomy stacks, ML).
• Comfortable working with Unix/Linux.
• US Citizenship and eligibility for access to classified information per project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop autonomy algorithms that use sonar data for obstacle avoidance, aid multi-agent decision making, and dynamic replanning in complex underwater environments.
• Design perception algorithms that increase vehicle situational awareness.
• Analyze sonar and navigation data to identify algorithm improvements.
• Test algorithms in water including local lake testing and field tests in the ocean, harbors, or rivers.
• Develop system concepts and proposals as well as coordinate project execution with development staff.
• Collaborate on large projects with a high degree of ownership.
• Document your work to support knowledge transfer.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Skills

Python

C/C++

ROS

Autonomy stacks

ML

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, Math, or a related field

Advanced degree in Engineering, Math or Applied Sciences with emphasis in autonomous vehicles, robotics, learning systems, data analysis, or related field

Tools

Unix/Linux

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a qualified engineer to develop autonomy and perception algorithms for uncrewed underwater vehicles, with real-time underwater operation and field testing in lakes, harbors, and rivers. The role includes transitioning capabilities to Navy Sailors.

You will participate from initial implementation to test in ocean environments, collaborating on large projects and documenting work for knowledge transfer.