Robotics Engineer - ATAS - Open Rank

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

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This job is in the Unmanned Flight Operation Branch (UFOB) in the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Division (RASD) with the Aerospace, Transportation, and Advanced Systems Laboratory (ATASL) at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). The UFOB focuses on the testing and evaluation of autonomous flight systems destined for tactical military systems to enhance the warfighting effectiveness of U.S. military forces worldwide. UFOB personnel apply multi-disciplinary engineering expertise to testing of autonomous control of sensors, platforms, and integrated systems, with a focus on behaviors of small unmanned systems and asymmetric warfare. Program areas include small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), persistent tactical ISR platforms and sensors, and command and control (C2) architectures. Within the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Division, UFOB focuses on early field testing and evaluation of emerging autonomy technologies to address urgent requirements. Primary sponsors currently come from the US military acquisition community.

A robotics engineer develops the hardware and/or software that enables electro-mechanical systems to perform a series of tasks with little or no human involvement. The robotics engineer can develop the mechanical mechanisms that form the robot, integrate sensors such as cameras and LIDAR systems into the system, or develop the algorithms to allow the robot or autonomous system to sense its environment, plan its actions, and then execute the plan. This position contributes to the fundamental and applied understanding of robotic and autonomous systems. The robotics researcher develops the advanced autonomous planning, coordination, perception and control algorithms that enable a mobile robot or team of robots to operate in dynamic environments. The engineer can also interface with perceptual, actuation, communication and other systems to enable the robot to sense, plan actions, coordinate actions according to mission plans and execute the plans. This position may incorporate a fundamental understanding of robotic control and path planning as well as an applied understanding of robotics systems.

• Perform basic signal processing with supervisor direction -Document work in written and presentation form.
• Contribute to algorithm application discussions.
• Contribute to technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations.

• Support flight operations through design and assembly of aircraft components and support equipment.
• Work with subsystems to include propulsion, avionics, payload electronics, RF components and data radios, and structural elements.
• Model existing parts, coordinate the manufacturing of parts, create and maintain systems' bills of materials and other pertinent documentation.
• Support installation and testing of equipment during field operations through on-site support.
• Crosstrain in different flight crew positions to support UAS research.

• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than May 2025.
• Hands-on experience with the design, build, and operation of Unmanned Surface/Air Systems.
• Hands-on experience with state-of-the-art algorithms on real-world mobile robot systems.
• Hands-on experience with field test experimentation.
• Experience with object-oriented programming (e.g., Java, Python, or C++), Robot Operating System (ROS), Linux, and SCRIMMAGE or similar simulation architectures.

• Active Secret Clearance.
• Familiarity with Department of Defense.
• Experience field testing UAS and related systems.
• FAA Part 107 UA License.
• Commercial Driver's License.
• Proficiency building and flying RC aircraft.
• Experience building/manufacturing and flying UAVs.
• Familiarity with Pixhawk and Piccolo autopilot and ground station software.
• Experience with fast prototyping in C++ as well as experience in integrating and deploying these algorithms for real-time operation on a robot in real-world environments is a plus.
• Experience in one or more of the following is a plus: ROS, SCRIMMAGE, Multi-robot collaboration, Path planning and navigation, Behavior-based robotics, Optimal control and estimation, Machine learning for robotic control.

• 10% - 25% travel.

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 0 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or any related field.

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

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