Autonomy Engineer (AI) - NODA AILocation: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site, with up to 20% travel)
Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance
The RoleWe are seeking an
Autonomy Engineer to design and implement the autonomy stack that powers adaptive multi-vehicle orchestration. This role focuses on mission planning, path generation, behavior execution, and task allocation across heterogeneous fleets.
You will work at the intersection of AI reasoning frameworks, ROS2-based autonomy stacks, and distributed multi-agent systems, ensuring mission intent can be reliably executed and adapted in real-world conditions. Success in this role requires strong technical foundations in robotics, practical systems thinking, and a passion for delivering robust autonomy where reliability is non-negotiable.
Key Responsibilities- Design and implement autonomy modules including path planning, task allocation, behavior trees, and reactive execution models.
- Develop and maintain the autonomy framework that integrates with orchestration (AI-driven mission planning) and world modeling.
- Ensure AI-generated plans are executable, explainable, and safe across multi-domain robotic platforms.
- Implement and validate navigation, control, and autonomy behaviors for UAVs, USVs, and UUVs using ROS2 and simulation environments.
- Profile and optimize autonomy performance for edge compute hardware (Jetson, Raspberry Pi-class devices).
- Conduct simulation-in-loop and hardware-in-loop testing to validate autonomy behaviors before live field deployment.
- Contribute to safety, reliability, and compliance practices for autonomy in defense-relevant missions.
- Collaborate across AI, networking, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless orchestration of multi-vehicle operations.
Required Qualifications- 3+ years experience developing autonomy or robotics systems.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python for real-time autonomy development.
- Strong hands-on experience with ROS2 and robotics middleware.
- Background in motion planning, navigation, and control systems.
- Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, and autonomy validation.
- Familiarity with behavior trees, task allocation, or symbolic planners.
- Knowledge of simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, or equivalent).
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a clearance.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with multi-agent coordination and swarm robotics.
- Exposure to autonomous vehicle domains (UAVs, UUVs, USVs).
- Familiarity with MAVLink, JAUS, or STANAG 4586 protocols.
- Background in AI planning, reinforcement learning, or constraint solvers.
- Experience optimizing autonomy for embedded/real-time performance.
- Prior exposure to defense or aerospace autonomy systems.
- Contributions to open-source robotics or autonomy projects.
Skills & Attributes- Systems thinker: able to connect autonomy layers with AI reasoning and orchestration.
- Strong problem-solving and debugging skills in both simulation and field environments.
- Cross-disciplinary collaborator, comfortable working with AI, networking, and data engineering teams.
- Thrives in ambiguous, mission-driven problem spaces.
- Detail-oriented and safety-focused, with commitment to reliable autonomy in critical missions.
What We Offer- Hybrid work environment
- Competitive pay
- Flexible time off
- Generous PTO policy
- Federal holidays
- Generous health, dental, and vision benefits
- Free OneMedical membership
- 401(k)
Growth Path at NODA- Senior Autonomy Engineer - lead development of autonomy modules and mentor engineers.
- Staff/Principal Engineer - drive cross-domain autonomy integration, standards, and frameworks.
- Autonomy Lead - own the autonomy stack and guide integration with AI-driven orchestration at scale.
