Autonomous Systems Engineer

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Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory's mission.

We have an opening for a Robotics and Controls Engineer specializing in autonomous sensor systems to support national security missions.You will contribute to the design, development, integration, and testing of autonomous systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for sensing, perception, and experimental diagnostics in complex environments. The work spans autonomy pipelines, perception systems, and control algorithms for a variety of robotic platforms, including both simulation and hardware field testing.You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and deploy novel autonomy capabilities for programs such as Skyglass, Curtain Call, and related experimental efforts. The position may involve occasional travel and field tests at remote sites, as well as work in laboratory and outdoor test ranges. You will work under general to limited direction, depending on level, and will be expected to contribute to technical planning, execution, data analysis, and documentation. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Design and implement autonomous navigation and control functions for UAVs and UGVs using frameworks such as ROS, ROS2, ArduPilot, PX4, and MAVLink.
• Develop and integrate computer vision and sensor fusion modules (cameras, IMU, GNSS/GPS) for real-time obstacle detection, collision avoidance, and precision landing.
• Implement and test autonomy pipelines for robotic platforms, including waypoint navigation and mission execution in GPS-enabled and GPS-denied environments.
• Develop control algorithms and perform dynamic modeling for multirotor aircraft, wheeled vehicles, and legged systems.
• Build and validate simulation environments for robotics testing using tools such as Gazebo, Simulink, SITL, and HITL.
• Develop software for robotics data management and experimental analysis, including logging, parsing, and basic database interaction.
• Apply mathematical and computational techniques to robotics problems, such as trajectory generation, motion planning, and sensor fusion.
• Analyze test data, troubleshoot system performance, and document findings in technical notes and reports; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and participate in design reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level

• Provide engineering solutions to moderately complex technical and programmatic challenges in autonomous systems, including integration of new sensors or platforms.
• Lead the design, integration, and field-testing of autonomy pipelines for UAVs and UGVs, including test planning, execution, and post-test analysis.
• Generate detailed technical documentation, test plans, and schedules for robotics development activities, and present technical updates to project leadership.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of robotics system design, controls theory, and autonomous navigation principles, including feedback control and basic dynamic modeling.
• Experience with robotics middleware and communication protocols such as ROS/ROS2 and MAVLink, and familiarity with autopilot systems (ArduPilot, PX4).
• Fundamental Programming knowledge in Python and/or C/C++ for robotics applications, including implementation of perception, planning, or control algorithms.
• Experience developing and validating computer vision and sensor fusion algorithms for tasks such as obstacle detection, collision avoidance, or precision landing.
• Experience with simulation tools (Gazebo, Simulink, SITL, HITL) and correlating simulation results with field test data.
• Experience identifying, defining, and solving technical problems in robotics or controls.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present technical information.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Comprehensive knowledge of robotics system design, controls, and autonomous navigation demonstrated through prior experience in UAV and/or UGV development, integration, or field testing.
• Experience providing engineering solutions to moderately complex technical problems in robotics and controls, including selecting appropriate methods, tools, and evaluation criteria.
• Experience using standard project management practices to plan and execute technical tasks, such as defining milestones, estimating effort, and tracking progress across multiple concurrent activities.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master's degree in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with a focus on robotics, controls, autonomy, or machine learning.
• Hands-on experience with UAV and/or UGV platform development, integration, and field testing, including safety procedures and rapid prototyping.
• Experience applying machine learning or deep learning to robotics problems, such as computer vision, perception, path planning, or control.

Pay Range

$121,830 - $185,544 Annually

$121,830 - $154,500 Annually for the SES.1 level

$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.If you are selected, we willinitiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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