Vehicle Autonomy Lead: Onboard Navigation & Control

HavocAI Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

401k Matching

Unlimited PTO

Equity Package

Work/Home Stipend

Global Entry

Parental Leave

Wellness Stipend

Job summary

HavocAI Inc. is seeking a senior leader to head the on-vehicle autonomy team for autonomous surface vessels. You will own end-to-end autonomy capabilities, including navigation, planning, control, and safe execution, while guiding multi-disciplinary teams across perception, mission software, and hardware.

The role emphasizes field-oriented work, rapid iteration, and collaboration with operations and field-testing teams to ensure real-world reliability and mission readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field and 8+ years in robotics/autonomy or related fields.
• Experience leading engineers and delivering autonomy software on real robotic systems.
• Strong background in motion planning, controls, and vehicle autonomy stacks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the on-vehicle autonomy team and set engineering priorities.
• Own autonomy capabilities for onboard vessels including navigation and execution.
• Guide architecture decisions, reviews, and field-readiness for deployments.
• Collaborate with perception, mission software, embedded systems, and operations teams.
• Drive end-to-end development from concept to field deployment.

Skills

Robotics

Autonomy software

Leadership

C++

Python

Linux

Systems integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Robotics/CS/EE/ME/AE/CE

Tools

ROS2

DDS

MOOS-IvP

Autonomy middleware

Job description

HavocAI Inc. is seeking a senior leader to head the on-vehicle autonomy team for autonomous surface vessels. You will own end-to-end autonomy capabilities, including navigation, planning, control, and safe execution, while guiding multi-disciplinary teams across perception, mission software, and hardware.

The role emphasizes field-oriented work, rapid iteration, and collaboration with operations and field-testing teams to ensure real-world reliability and mission readiness.