Lead Autonomous Systems Engineer

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Department Summary:

MITRE's Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department is an innovative team of engineers focused on the development of cutting-edge autonomous systems, robotics capabilities, and AI solutions for a safer world. The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Department has a new opportunity for a strong technical candidate with a STEM degree to join an innovative team of engineers focused on developing Artificial Intelligence and/or Autonomous System solutions for sponsor needs. The right candidate will enjoy a fast-paced team environment and work with groundbreaking technology.

We are seeking a self-starter to work out of the Dayton office in support of our Air Force autonomy work. The candidate for this position will work on a wide variety of challenging activities in direct support of sponsor programs and will support MITRE's AI and autonomy efforts.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Bachelors in technical major
• 8+ years' applicable work experience related to Autonomy and AI
• Experience with autonomous systems applications to operations in the DoW, particularly as they relate to Air Force applications and Manned-Unmanned Teaming
• Deep experience in one or more robotics-relevant fields, such as computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, agentic AI, control theory, multi-robot systems, and autonomy C2 systems
• Ability to articulate autonomy-specific challenges (in perception, reasoning, behaviors, collaboration), understand real-world application challenges, discuss critical issues, and identify gaps
• Familiarity with the state of the art in the field, including the use of Autonomy GRA (A-GRA)
• Proven ability to work independently to learn new technologies, techniques, processes, languages, platforms, systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with the ability to foster relationship development with sponsors
• Demonstrated ability to shape work with sponsors or stakeholders in the absence of given requirements
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, set schedules, appropriately communicate risks, and manage budget
• Developed, proposed and executed autonomy research
• Must have an active Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI. Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in related field such as Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.
• Experience with software development in a production setting
• Familiarity with quarterbacking concepts, collaborative effects of autonomous systems, C2 for operational systems
• Experience with production setting software engineering environments and processes (CI/CD pipelines)
• Knowledge of advances of Autonomy and AI evaluation capabilities in industry and academia
• Domain knowledge of swarming systems, red teaming, counter UxS, robotic test and evaluation, agentic AI, manufacturing robotics, and/or missile defense
• Experience with rapid prototyping featuring software components
• Experience with field testing autonomous systems, particularly unmanned aerial systems
• Knowledge and/or experience with edge computing, C-SWAP (compute, size, weight, and power) platforms, and/or surrogate or scaled platforms
• Work and/or leadership of teams to implement and evaluate AI and Autonomy algorithms
• Experience with DoW acquisition

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$174,000 - $217,500 - $261,000 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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